GAME RECAP: Oilers Score 50+, Return to the Quarterfinals

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA- The Huntington Beach Oilers returned to Cap Sheue Field on a chilly night to open the CIFSS Division 5 playoffs, hosting the Western Pioneers.

The Pioneers started strong with a 16-play, 80-yard drive, taking an early 6-0 lead after missing the PAT. The Oilers responded quickly with a six-play, 80-yard drive in just 2:41, capped by Brady Edmunds connecting with Steel Kurtz for a 17-yard touchdown pass. The Oilers kept the momentum going, and Edmunds later found Troy Foster on a 32-yard touchdown, putting Huntington Beach ahead 14-6 heading into the second quarter.

Western fought back with a 12-play, 66-yard drive that ended in a three-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the score to 14-13. The Pioneers weren't done yet and soon reclaimed the lead with a swift six-play, 84-yard drive that concluded with a touchdown, putting them up 19-14 after another missed PAT.

Determined to take the lead into halftime, Huntington Beach did just that. Edmunds connected with Gabe Bryant for a 24-yard touchdown, giving the Oilers a slim 21-19 lead at the break.

Huntington Beach came out firing to start the second half, with Micah Riola rushing for a 37-yard touchdown just 56 seconds in. Western answered back almost immediately with a 77-yard rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, cutting the Oilers' lead to one.

The Oilers responded with a methodical 5:38 drive, finished by Edmunds' touchdown pass to Niko Lopez. Nick Navarrete then came up big for the Oilers' defense, snagging a crucial interception to set up a four-play, 22-yard drive ending in a five-yard rushing touchdown by Edmunds.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Western struck again with a 52-yard touchdown pass, making it 42-33. Huntington Beach answered with seven points of their own. When Western attempted an onside kick, Trent Clark scooped it up and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 49-33. Late in the fourth, Charlie Stubin added an 11-yard rushing touchdown to seal the victory, with the Oilers securing a 56-39 win.

This marks the first time the Oilers have scored 50+ points since their September 16, 2022, victory against Marina High School, where they posted 59 points.

Huntington Beach now advances to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year and will travel to A.B. Miller High School in Fontana to face Summit High School. The last meeting between these teams was on August 25, 2022, when the Oilers won 26-7 at Cap Sheue Field.