El Camino College Football Sets Rushing Records in Victory

The El Camino College football team achieved a remarkable victory over Palomar College on October 21, 2023, showcasing an explosive offensive performance that resulted in a total of 673 yards. The Warriors secured a 45-31 win, setting multiple records in the process, including a team record of 469 rushing yards.

Despite the Warriors (6-1, 4-0) dominating much of the game, Palomar (1-6, 0-4) mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, narrowing El Camino’s lead to just seven points with 6:18 remaining. Facing a critical third-and-two on their own 23-yard line, the Warriors turned to their star running back, Damonte Bias. He responded with a stunning 62-yard run, advancing the ball to the Palomar 15. Shortly after, quarterback Andrew Maushardt connected with Jaden Moore for a 7-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 45-31.

Bias had an outstanding night, rushing for 266 yards on 22 carries, breaking the previous single-game rushing record of 263 yards set by Delvon Flowers in 1998. Moore contributed significantly as well, with 184 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

El Camino started strong, scoring on their first two possessions. Maushardt opened the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Brewer, followed by a 23-yard field goal from kicker Christian Miranda, giving the Warriors an early 10-0 lead. Although the offense moved effectively, Moore’s fumbles halted two potential scoring drives.

With 11:29 left in the second quarter, Palomar’s Carson Beard cut the lead to seven with a 47-yard field goal. Bias quickly responded, breaking a 21-yard run followed by a 44-yard dash, setting up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Maushardt to Brandon Jones, making the score 17-3.

Palomar recovered a fumble and returned it to the El Camino 2-yard line, but the Warriors’ defense held strong, stopping four consecutive run attempts to preserve their lead at halftime. Coach Gifford Lindheim emphasized the importance of that goal-line stand, stating, “We were in a dogfight tonight against Palomar.”

The second half saw Bias extend the lead with a 57-yard touchdown run, putting El Camino ahead 24-3. Palomar quickly retaliated, with Bubba Garcia returning the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 24-10. Garcia scored again on a 27-yard run, and Palomar continued to close in, making it 31-17.

With the tension rising, Moore added a 2-yard touchdown run for El Camino, but Palomar responded with a touchdown pass from KJ Chatham to Vincent Landry, bringing the score to 38-31. Ultimately, Bias and Moore’s late efforts sealed the victory for El Camino.

Reflecting on the game, Moore remarked, “We came out with a little slow start. I had to overcome a little bit of adversity and get my head right. When they got close, we just talked to the team, and our guys were able to finish it out.”

The Warriors’ performance not only highlights their offensive capabilities but also sets a high bar for future games as they continue their season.