Carlsbad rolls past La Costa Canyon 35-0, captures undefeated Avocado League championship
CARLSBAD, Calif. -- With an undefeated Avocado League championship in sight, Carlsbad showed no signs of a letdown on Friday night.
The Lancers started quickly, scoring three first quarter touchdowns on their way to a 35-0 win over host La Costa Canyon.
Carlsbad scored four rushing touchdowns, returned a block field goal for a touchdown and held La Costa Canyon to just one rushing yard while intercepting the Mavericks three times.
Below are four takeaways from the game.
ALL THREE PHASES OF THE GAME
Carlsbad wasted no time getting going on Friday night, forcing a three and out from La Costa Canyon during the game’s opening possession. The Lancers proceeded to drive 55 yards in eight plays and capped it off with what would be the first of three touchdowns from Mason Walsh.
On the second possession, La Costa Canyon’s third down pass was tipped and intercepted by Carlsbad junior Thomas McCormick, giving the Lancers an immediate red zone possession.
“I love seeing our defense go three and out every time, even though it’s tiring because our offense is on the field a lot, but it’s awesome seeing our defense do so good,” Walsh said.
Quarterback Julian Sayin rolled out left on 4th down and one from the two-yard line and found the edge for the Lancers’ second touchdown of the night.
The Mavericks put together a strong possession on their third drive of the half, working the ball down to the two-yard line. Running back Andrew Maes appeared to score but the referees called offensive pass interference, backing the Mavericks away from the goal line.
When fourth down came around, the Mavericks opted to kick a 40-yard field and get points on the board just prior to the end of the first quarter but Carlsbad had different plans.
The Lancers blocked the field goal attempt with junior Logan Shaffer scooping up the live ball and carrying it 76 yards for a touchdown as the first quarter expired, putting an exclamation point on a dominant 21-point first quarter.
“I can’t remember the last time we blocked a field goal, so I’m really excited about that one,” Carlsbad head coach Thadd MacNeal said.
BREAKOUT SEASON FOR MASON WALSH
Mason Walsh played in three games last season for Carlsbad as a sophomore, carrying the ball seven times for 21 yards.
Fast forward a season and Walsh has cemented his spot as one of San Diego’s top breakout stars. Walsh finished with 85 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s blowout, giving him 12 touchdowns on the ground for the season.
“He’s so tough and he always makes the first guy miss. He’s a selfless player and we’re lucky he’s on our side.”
Walsh has quickly adapted to taking the role as the main ball carrier out of the backfield for the Lancers. Entering Friday night, he’d carried the ball 99 times more than the next closest, quarterback Julian Sayin.
PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME?
Carlsbad began the season 3-1 but did not have the look of the team that has emerged in recent weeks. The Lancers first three wins came by a combined 13 points.
They added senior tight end Zack Marshall to the mix for their game against Bakersfield Liberty on September 23 and have been lights out since then. The Michigan commit got into the action that night by catching two touchdowns and throwing for another.
“Our pass game has definitely evolved a lot since the first couple games, that helps us a lot,” Walsh said. “It’s just another weapon to have.”
Since beating Mission Hills 16-10 on September 16, Carlsbad has outscored their five opponents 201-21, finishing each of the last four by running clock.
“Our defense really honed in on our scheme and technique,” MacNeal said. “They’re just playing so darn hard and just real proud of them.”
Carlsbad has made their way to the Open Division championship game in each of the last two seasons, falling to Helix in 2019 and Cathedral Catholic in 2021.
This year’s Carlsbad team will finish up the regular season next week with a non-league game against winless Vista and then will have the bye week to prepare for the semifinal round of the Open Division playoffs.
FOUR STRAIGHT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR CARLSBAD
Few programs in the San Diego Section can match the success that Carlsbad has had over the past four seasons.
By beating La Costa Canyon 35-0 on Friday night, the Lancers are now winners in 34 of their past 38 games. The win wrapped up an undefeated Avocado League championship for Carlsbad, their fourth straight and the fifth since MacNeal returned to coach at his alma mater in 2011.
“Just our coaches,” Walsh said. “Our coaches are super hard on us. Details matter, our coaches really help us win these games.”
Carlsbad’s 24 consecutive wins in league place them in a tie for third all-time in the San Diego Section, just seven behind Sweetwater’s record of 31 from 1970-73.
“I just really think our players believe and they have an expectation,” MacNeal said. “We’ve got really good coaches and we’ve had some really great players come through here, I give the credit to the players for sure.”
