Big plays from Tostado lead to Camarillo victory

Frankie Tostado finished with 148 receiving yards, three touchdowns and the game-winning interception for Camarillo, as the Scorpions held off Simi Valley 22-20 at home on Friday, Sept. 19 (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna).

On offense, Frankie Tostado won the jump ball battle at wide receiver. Defensively, Tostado made a wide receiver-like jump for the football to clinch the game winning interception for Camarillo against Simi Valley.

The 6-foot-3 junior got in front of his wide receiver, leaped to the sky and hauled down the final pick of the night at the 2-yard line, sealing the 22-20 victory over the Pioneers at Carl Thompson Field on Friday, Sept. 19.

It was a night of big plays for Tostado, who caught eight passes for 148 yards and scored all three touchdowns for the Scorpions (2-1) while playing wide receiver. He had three receptions that went for 22, 38 and 43 yards. His 22-yard catch came when Tostado jumped in front of double coverage and brought down the air ball. He followed that catch by bringing down a 4-yard touchdown lob from quarterback Jake Constantine, who threw it up for his tall target to catch while facing press coverage and a safety over the top of Tostado.

But what was his highlight play?

 "I think it was the interception," Tostado said. "We were running cover four but at the last minute, we switched to a man. I was expecting something in the end zone. I wasn't expecting a double move (by the wide receiver), but I didn't bite on it and as soon as they threw it up, I made the jump on it."

Tostado said he entered the game motivated by his performance against Paso Robles, which he said was subpar after the Scorpions lost 41-35 on Sept. 5.

"I had a bad game. I told myself:  'I've got to get my mind right, do what I can for this team and step up my game,' " Tostado said. "I want to do as much as I could to help my team win."

Outside of Tostado, the Scorpion defense had a breakout game. The unit forced five turnovers including three interceptions. Bryce Arnold and Cristian Hernandez each had one interception for CHS.

Arnold made a crucial fourth and goal stop to end the second quarter. The senior outside linebacker sprinted from the opposite side of the field, maintained his angle, and wrapped up a Simi Valley ball carrier near the 2-yard line. The stop ended the half with CHS leading 15-14.

"Everyone ran right (on that play) and I was just making a play for my team," Arnold said.

Constantine added some big plays and crucial drives for CHS. The 6-foot-2 junior finished with 17-of-31 passing for 201 yards and the three touchdowns to Tostado. Constantine's first pass was a 15-yard touchdown strike to Tostado on a swing pass to the left. The receiver broke out of an ankle tackle and rumbled to the goal line for the first quarter score.

Constantine helped keep drives going with his ability to escape the pass rush and scramble to the outside. Along with his mobility, Constantine got the deep ball going, with a 38 and 43-yard strike to Tostado. The 43-yarder came on a play action bomb as Tostado sprinted past two defensive backs for the score.

Constantine said he figured Simi Valley would bring a battle.

"We knew they were going to come out and try to knock us out," Constantine said. "We had to come out strong in the second half. We have to move the ball better offensively, but we'll get better."

Constantine raved about his favorite target on the night - fellow Class of 2016 prospect Tostado.

"He's amazing. That kid makes everything happen," Constantine said.