Isaiah Rameau powers Chatsworth football in dominant win over Lincoln
CHATSWORTH — No matter the weather, a strong run game can crush an opponent’s will. With a windy night in Chatsworth, it was clear the game plan was set before it even started.
Chatsworth’s football team picked up Thursday where it left off in a blowout first-round playoff win, and beat Lincoln 42-7 in the Division II quarterfinals of the CIF L.A. City Section playoffs.
Isaiah Rameau led the way with 320 yards and five touchdowns on 28 carries.
The Chancellors (6-6), who are the No. 2 seed, are now only two wins away from being crowned Division II champions.
They will be home against No. 3 seed San Fernando in the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 17.
“At this point, it doesn’t matter if you don’t win the whole thing,” said Chancellors head coach Marvin Street. “I’m happy for them. I’m happy for the school, but I’ve been here before. All I think every day is all my seniors putting in work since November of last year and I would hate for it to end for them.”
It was obvious from the jump the Chancellors had no intentions of passing the ball. Their dominant run game scored early as Rameau broke off a 47-yard touchdown run for the game’s first points.
The Tigers (7-5) quickly answered back on the next drive and the contest seemed to be headed for a shootout. However, Rameau and the Chancellors had other ideas.
Rameau, a 5-11, 195-pound senior, continued to be fed and scored again in the second quarter from 3 yards out to take a 14-7 lead.
The seven points would be the final points of the game for the Tigers.
Rameau quickly scored again before the half. on a 37-yard run, to put the Chancellors up 21-7.
The Chancellors threw just three passes in the first half, while their running game stomped down any hope the Tigers had early in the contest. The Chancellors ran for 224 yards in the first half, with 219 coming by the feet of Rameau.
“We just got to keep going, lock in to win and get to the championship,” said Rameau. “We were running all week this week, stacking up on all information for the game. The team was together all the time. Every person had to know their assignments, but now it’s time to lock in and stay humble.”
It became a question of whether or not the Tigers could slow down Rameau, but there was no answer.
After a long drive to begin the third quarter, Rameau scored from 7 yards out to give the Chancellors a 28-7 lead.
Late in the fourth Rameau scored his fifth and final touchdown.
The Chancellors’ next challenge lies in the semifinals against San Fernando.
“The team that executes the most off the field will win the game,” said Street. “That means getting to class, doing homework, sleeping, tracking macronutrients, staying hydrated, and repairing your body. That’s who will win the game.”