Prep Football : El Dorado Gets Past Past La Quinta : Mistakes, Penalties Make the Difference in 28-6 Decision

El Dorado High School’s 28-6 victory over La Quinta Friday night proved the old adage about the team making the fewest mistakes usually winning.

But it wasn’t exactly a mark of pride.

El Dorado commited three turnovers; La Quinta, four.

El Dorado amassed 135 yards in penalties; La Quinta, 90.

But at least El Dorado cashed in when it had the opportunity, and that was the difference in the sloppy game viewed by 2,000 at Valencia High School.

“It sure wasn’t pretty,” El Dorado Coach Carl Sweet said. “I sure didn’t like the number of penalties we had or some of the stupid mistakes we made. But I can’t say it wasn’t expected. It was a season opener, after all. Let’s say expected, but not accepted.”

The Golden Hawks’ offense at times showed some flair. El Dorado did a good job of springing tailback Scott Sporrer and fullback Pat Chavez on draws and counters in the first half. Sporrer rushed for 79 yards in 13 carriers and scored touchdowns of 1, 5 and 8 yards. Chavez scored a 3-yard touchdown in the game’s final moments.

El Dorado led, 21-0, at the half mainly because it took advantage of numerous La Quinta mistakes. The Golden Hawks’ only sustained drive came after the opening kickoff, when Sporrer scored on a one-yard run to cap a 13-play, 69-yard march.

But in the second half, El Dorado self-destructed on offense.

“They started bringing eight guys just about every down,” Sweet said. “We were making stupid mistakes, yes, but you’ve got to give them some credit. They showed us a rush that gave us a lot of problems in the second half.”

LaQuinta scored with 4:55 left in the third quarter when quarterback Trent Weaver passed five yards to wide receiver Dave Shimabukuro, but the extra point attempt sailed wide to the left.