HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : RBV’s Ross Runs for Record Seven Touchdowns, Near-Record 329 Yards

Markeith Ross rushed for a San Diego Section-record seven touchdowns--eclipsing the record of six he shared with three others--as No. 7 Rancho Buena Vista (2-2, 1-0) outscored the potent passing attack of Tom Fischer and No. 10 Poway, 54-33, in the Palomar League opener.

Ross scored six touchdowns last year against Orange Glen. But he had five by halftime Friday--and 246 yards on 14 carries--as the Longhorns (2-2, 1-0) took a 40-20 lead. The single-game section yardage record of 366 by RBV’s Scott Garcia (in 1988 against San Pasqual) was in sight.

He fell short, but not by much, finishing with 329 yards on 25 carries, well above the 106 yards he averaged in the first three games. He scored his seventh touchdown with 2:08 to play.

“He ran like Markeith tonight,” said Craig Bell, RBV coach. “Markeith’s not frustrated if we win. He’s very team-oriented; yardage means nothing to him.”

But yardage means something when it comes in chunks of 80 and 83, which accounted for Ross’ first two touchdowns and a 21-12 RBV lead with 5:19 left in the first quarter. Tyrone Cormier had a 33-yard run for the second score.

Ross, who gained 2,242 yards last season, also scored on runs of eight, 13, 20, 41 and one yards.

Ross had an exceptional night breaking tackles, and most of his yardage was gained on second and third efforts.

“My offensive line got me past the line; that’s their job,” Ross said. “Once I get into the secondary, that’s my job.”

Ross overshadowed the performance of Fischer, who entered as the county’s fourth-leading passer. He rushed for three touchdowns--from the nine, one and one--and passed for two more, nine yards to Aaron Kelly and 16 yards to to Damian Richey.

Fischer completed 20 of 37 passes for 337 yards. Entering the game, he had completed 36 of 80 for 649.

Poway is now 2-2 and 0-1.

“Our defense did a pretty good job,” Bell said, “but tonight, (Fischer) was an exceptional quarterback.”

The scoring reached a frenzied pace early. RBV scored on its first six possessions, and Poway scored on three of its first four. RBV defeated Poway, 34-20, last year, and held a lead by that score with 9:07 left--in the second quarter.