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CCSF rolls to title Huge first half leads to easy win
By: John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer
Visalia, Tulare County --
Before yesterday's California Community College championship football game, the opposing coaches were asked what kind of contest they expected.
Low scoring, they said. They were half right.
City College of San Francisco led 27-0 after the first quarter, 47-0 at halftime and 54-6 after three quarters on the way to an eventual 61-12 victory against Palomar (San Diego County) at the Mineral King Bowl.
"From the first possession on, it was over," CCSF coach George Rush said. "They were never in the game. I'm shocked."
CCSF finished the season 12-0 and has now won three consecutive state titles and 36 games in a row since losing to Palomar in the 1998 championship game. It was the most points the Rams scored all season, not counting a 96-0 rout in the opening game of the season against the San Jose Raiders, a semi-pro club.
"They're a lot bigger, faster and more athletic than we are, and it showed in all areas -- offense, defense and special teams," said Palomar coach Tom Craft, who will now move on to San Diego State. Yesterday, City College could do no wrong while Palomar could do no right. By halftime, the Rams had 308 yards in total offense. The Comets had minus 1 yard.
CCSF's Johnny Mack had 151 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the first half and finished with 170.
Quarterback Orlando Evans threw three of his four touchdown passes in the first two quarters, to Kellen Taylor (18 yards), Zach Fletcher (25 yards) and Willie Dixon (9 yards). The Rams' Rodney Burton had a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown and Richard Heintz added field goals of 26 and 35 yards. The Rams scored on their first seven possessions in the first half.
"They have a potent offense and they had minus-1 yard in the first half," Rush said. "That's incredible. You can't play better than that. And I can't say enough about our offense. Everybody made plays."
Evans finished the day with 16 completions on 28 attempts for 208 yards and four touchdowns. He was selected offensive player of the game while his teammate, end Chauncey Clark (6 tackles, 3 sacks), got the defensive honor. Mack was selected the overall MVP of the game for his 170 rushing yards and three touchdowns, one of them a 48-yarder.
"I wasn't surprised at all," Evans said of the lopsided result. "We prepared so well and were so focused. We didn't make any mistakes. I wasn't expecting 61-12, but I knew we were going to come out and win because we were so focused."
E-mail John Crumpacker at jcrumpacker@sfchronicle.com
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