Announcement
Fontana High School football team wins first game at renovated stadium, 47-6
By RUSSELL INGOLD Oct 13, 2023 Updated 1 hr ago 0
Steelers
Akari Augustine leaps high to catch a pass during Fontana’s 47-6 triumph over Notre Dame. (Contributed photo by Connie Caruthers)
The Fontana High School football team’s first game at its renovated stadium was a tremendous success.
Running wild on their splendid new turf field, the Steelers crushed Notre Dame, 47-6, on Oct. 12.
The victory enabled the Fontanans to raise their record to 2-1 in the Skyline League and 4-4 overall. It was the first time this year that they had a truly “home” game.
“It was an awesome win for us,” said coach Eric Gonzales. “We really needed it, because we’re trying to get back to the playoffs.”
The Steelers have two regular season games remaining, starting with a trek to San Gorgonio on Friday, Oct. 20.
Gonzales said it was great to finally get a chance to play on the new field, which will be formally dedicated in honor of retired coach Dick Bruich at a later date.
“I love the new field,” he said. “I’m glad we got the first ‘W’ for Coach B on this field, to honor him and all the Steelers who came before.”
Quarterback Ruben Camacho, who threw three touchdown passes and also scored on a run, said being part of the historic event was an honor.
“To be the first one to throw a touchdown pass on this field, it feels good,” he said.
The Steelers drove downfield on their first possession thanks to the running of Rashawn Williams. Then from the 14-yard line, Camacho lobbed a pass into the end zone to Akari Augustine, who leaped over the defender and grabbed the football for the first of his four touchdowns.
“It was fun,” Augustine said. “We played as a team and we showed what we could do on the field — we dominated.”
Later in the first quarter, Fontana expanded its lead to 15-0 on a trick play as Camacho lateraled to Williams, who threw a pass to Augustine for a 17-yard touchdown.
In the second period, Camacho unleashed a 29-yard scoring pass to Jose Lopez Jr.
A few minutes later, Camacho connected with Lopez on a 22-yard pass, setting up a 1-yard run by Williams for a TD.
Camacho’s 11-yard toss to Augustine gave Fontana a 34-0 edge at halftime.
After the Steeler band delighted the crowd at halftime, the locals added two more touchdowns, one on a 38-yard keeper by Augustine and another on a short run by Camacho that was set up by a 45-yard burst by Christian Perez.
Overall, Camacho completed 7 of 9 passes for 113 yards, and Williams rushed 22 times for 105 yards. Augustine caught 4 passes for 62 yards and ran 3 times for 49 yards. Winston Velasquez caught a 10-yard pass. Ayden Brannum kicked 3 PATs.
The Fohi defense did a fine job, with help from a fumble recovery by Lopez.
Mario Ayala and Miguel Sanchez each had 2 sacks, and D’Ray Tarver, Alexis Lomeli, Ritchie Rivera, and Emmanuel Zambrano all had sacks.
Ruben Martinez made 3 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles, while Lomeli had 2 tackles and 6 assists. Rivera had 2 tackles and 4 assists and Tarver had 2 tackles and 3 assists.
Athletic director Brandon Colbrunn was excited for the team as well as for the stadium improvements.
He said the school now has a turf field that is one grade below the NFL level and a track that is one grade below an international level. Plus, there are bright new LED lights as well as a new snack bar.
“It’s a wonderful transformation,” he said.
