In its only trip to San Diego County in 2025, the El Centro Central Spartans made sure to make the most of it.

After Mt. Carmel scored the opening touchdown, the Spartans scored 41 unanswered points to win 41-13 over the Sundevils.

The Spartans, who were the top seed in last year’s CIF-San Diego Section Div. 3 playoffs, began their scoring when Sundevils senior quarterback Trevor Taumoepeau threw the ball up and into the hands of senior Joshua Garcia.

Garcia, who caught the ball at the goal line, then returned it 100 yards to the opposite end zone for the pick-six and even the score at seven apiece in the opening quarter.

“I was getting deep in my zone, and I saw that ball up,” Garcia said. “I knew it was mine. It was underthrown. So, I picked it, made a cut and ran into the house.”

Then the Spartans (3-0) took advantage of a turnover on downs and an interception from junior defensive lineman Isaiah Aguirre, which both changes of possessions led to Central touchdowns,  extending the lead to 21-7 with 3:33 left in the second quarter.

“All those turnovers are all huge,” Central head coach David Pena said. “I tell our guys, ‘There’s a lot of hidden yardage. It’s no different than Isaiah, how he had that pick on that screen that gave us middle of field position. So, we’re fortunate that tonight we capitalized on turnovers. We did a good job as far creating turnovers.”

However, Central was not done.

The Spartans had the ball with under a minute remaining in the first half against the Sundevils (2-1). After a 4-yard rush, Pena called a screen play for Garcia, who, with the help of the blockers, took it to the house for 78-yard touchdown lead and a 21-point lead at halftime.

“He’s been making plays for us all year and making some big plays,” Pena said of Garcia, who recorded a game-high 91 yards on four receptions and a touchdown offensively. “That’s one of a few he’s already done in game three already.”

In the second half, Central’s ground game took charge.

The trio of Matthew Lizaola Santiago Valdez and Eric Morales controlled the final 24 minutes.

Lizaola recorded runs of 15, 32 and 55 yards in the final two quarters, while also logging two touchdowns. Valdez and Morales kept the running game strong while Lizaola needed a breather.

“With our heavy squad, Matt running out there, it was super crucial on those third and fourth downs,” Garcia said. “They really stepped up tonight.”

Mt. Carmel was led by senior wide receivers Atticus Enriquez and Connor Gibbons. Enriquez recorded six receptions for 74 yards while Gibbons caught seven passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

However, Sundevils head coach Drew Westling had to go to backup quarterback Kelly Leuck in the second quarter after Taumoepeau left the game due to injury.

Next week, Central travels to Southwest EC Thursday while Mt. Carmel travels to San Diego High School Friday.

Central 41, Mt. Carmel 13

Central –  7        21       13       0   — 41

Mt. Carmel –  7      0       0      6     — 13    

M – Gibbons 17 pass from Taumoepeau (Adams kick)

C – Garcia 100 interception return (Rodriguez kick)

C – Vasquez 14 pass from Jimenez (Rodriguez kick)

C – Morales 23 pass from Hernandez (Rodriguez kick)

C – Garcia 78 pass from Hernandez (Rodriguez kick)

C – Lizaola 3 run (run failed)

C – Lizaola 1 run (Rodrguez kick)

M – Gibbons 1 pass from Lueck (kick failed)