Vista, CA — The Poway Raiders beat the Vista Longhorns 26-13 on Saturday. Vista received the opening kick-off and put Poway on its heels, but the drive stalled at the Poway 21 yard line. Although Vista was able to move the ball, the Longhorns committed too many pre-snap penalties to maintain the momentum. Poway wasted no time getting on the board, running off right tackle for 79 yards for the touchdown. The one play drive had the Longhorn reeling. Luckily the Raider PAT attempt was blocked. Vista returned the ensuing kickoff for 78 yards as key blocks enabled the Vista runner to find daylight. With the successful PAT Vista took a 7-6 lead into quarter 2. With the swing in team energy, Vista was able to hold the Raiders -6 yards in 4 plays on the very next possession. The Longhorns offense took over at its own 42 yard line. Since Poway enjoyed a one play scoring drive in the first quarter, the Longhorns returned the favor, going untouched around the right end for 58 yards. The sudden score gave the Longhorns a 13-6 advantage to begin the 2nd quarter. Both teams traded possessions with Poway getting the ball back with about 1:48 seconds remaining in the half. Vista defense was holding until 13 seconds remained in the half. The Poway runner escaped a number of Vista would-be tacklers to score with no time remaining in the half. The score, now 14-13 Raiders, hurt the morale of the Longhorns. The untimely score would give Poway 2 consecutive possessions (one to end the half and one by virtue of receiving the 2nd half kickoff). In football that consecutive possession (known as the death spiral) proved too much for the outsized Longhorns. Poway added two additional scores in the 2nd half to bring the game's final tally to 26-13. Vista looks to regroup next week when they welcome the Murrietta Battlehawks to town. The game will pit 2 teams standing at 1-1 on the season. The win would help either team in their quest for the division title.