Hot start, four interceptions powers Chaminade to 36-29 win over Bishop Amat

For the first time in school history, Chaminade (8-0 overall, 3-0 in Mission League) took down Bishop Amat (4-4, 1-2) on the road at Kiefer Memorial Stadium. The Eagles jumped to a 22-0 lead and snagged four interceptions en route to a 36-29 win.

Chaminade came in No. 9 in the SBLive Top 25 California rankings, while Amat was No. 16. 

"The team worked their [butts] off all week," Chaminade head coach David Machuca said. "Hats off to the kids."

HOT START FOR CHAMINADE

In the first quarter, Chaminade senior quarterback Javance Tupouata-Johnson ran for a 25-yard touchdown on the Eagles opening possession. 

On the ensuing Bishop Amat drive, Chaminade defensive back Ryan Abughazaleh jumped a route to intercept Amat starting QB Richie Munoz. Abughazaleh returned the pick 30 yards for a touchdown, which put Chaminade up 14-0.

Chaminade then recovered a surprise onside kick after being forced to kick off from its own 15-yard line following three penalties. After the turnover, Tupouata-Johnson scored his second TD of the night on a 1-yard carry to extend the Eagles lead to 22-0.

BISHOP AMAT FIGHTS BACK

In the second quarter, Bishop Amat sophomore quarterback Frankie Villalbazo connected with Julian Borrayo on an 84-yard TD and then Delano Franklin on a 19-yard score to cut the Chaminade lead to 22-15. 

In the third quarter, the Lancers tied the game on Franklin's second touchdown, a 15-yard catch from Villalbazo.

But the Lancers couldn't complete the comeback. 

Late in the third quarter, a 41-yard reception from Logan Carpenter set up a 2-yard TD run from Jaelon Barbarin to extend Chaminade's lead to 29-22.

With 10:45 to play, Chaminade linebacker Isaiah Chisom intercepted Villalbazo and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 36-22 edge. 

The Lancers responded with a 27-yard TD from Munoz to Aiden Valdez making the score 36-29 with 1:14 left, but Amat didn't recover the ensuing onside kick and Chaminade ran out the clock.

EAGLES DEFENSE IMPRESSES

Chaminade junior safety Marquis Gallegos intercepted two Bishop Amat passes, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth, giving the Eagles four picks on the night. 

"I thought the defense played outstanding," Machuca said.