In a remarkable display of offensive prowess, the El Camino College football team achieved a record-setting performance on October 14, 2023, defeating Palomar College 45-31 in Torrance, California. The Warriors amassed a staggering total of 673 yards, including 469 yards on the ground, showcasing their dominance throughout the game.
Despite leading by 21 points in the third quarter, El Camino faced a tough challenge as Palomar rallied to narrow the gap to just seven points with 6:18 remaining. The Warriors, now holding a 6-1 record overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play, relied on their star running back, Damonte Bias, to execute a crucial third-and-two play from their own 23-yard line. Bias delivered with a spectacular 62-yard run, setting the stage for a pivotal touchdown pass from quarterback Andrew Maushardt to Jaden Moore that extended El Camino’s lead.
Bias’s performance was exceptional, as he rushed for 266 yards on 22 carries, breaking the previous single-game rushing record of 263 yards set by Delvon Flowers in 1998. The team’s overall rushing total of 469 yards also surpassed their previous record of 343 yards, set in 2021. Moore contributed significantly as well, accumulating 184 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns.
El Camino’s offense started strong, scoring on their first two possessions. Maushardt connected with Cameron Brewer for an 11-yard touchdown just two minutes into the game, followed by a 23-yard field goal from kicker Christian Miranda, giving the Warriors an early 10-0 lead. However, Palomar responded with a 47-yard field goal from Carson Beard, trimming the deficit to seven points.
The Warriors’ defense faced a critical moment when Palomar recovered a fumble at the El Camino two-yard line. In a display of resilience, the Warriors’ defense stopped Palomar on four consecutive rushing attempts, preserving their lead at halftime.
“We were in a dogfight tonight against Palomar,” said El Camino coach Gifford Lindheim. “We had a huge goal-line stand just before halftime, and then we came out and Damonte Bias got a big touchdown run to put us up 21, but they fought back.”
Bias opened the second half with a stunning 57-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 24-3. Palomar responded with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Bubba Garcia, followed by a subsequent touchdown run that brought them within striking distance at 24-10. The back-and-forth continued as Palomar closed the gap to just seven points late in the game, but the Warriors ultimately secured their victory.
Moore reflected on the challenges faced during the game, stating, “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 El Camino College football team’s performance not only solidified their position at the top of the conference but also set new benchmarks in team and individual rushing records. The Warriors will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
