VALLEY CENTER ---- Noah Tarrant was Oceanside High's Mr. Everything on Friday night.

Barely 2 1/2 minutes into a Valley League first-place showdown, the senior linebacker/running back had already thrown a touchdown pass and returned an interception for a score.

Late in the game, he returned a punt for a score as the unbeaten Pirates proved why they're ranked No. 1 with a 45-7 win over previously unbeaten and No. 4-ranked Valley Center.

The Pirates clinched at least a share of the league title with Ramona traveling to Oceanside next Friday.

"I've scored two touchdowns in a game before, but never like that," Tarrant said. "On the interception, the coaches told us if the tight end blocks down, watch the receiver coming out. I saw what they were talking about and went for the ball."

The punt return was a 12-yarder after Valley Center's David Last chased an errant snap into his end zone and booted the ball on the run.

"I saw the ball in the air, caught it and ran it in," Tarrant said.

Oceanside (9-0, 5-0) had 380 yards total offense in the game.

Valley Center (8-1, 4-1) was held to 76 yards ---- 57 rushing on 37 attempts and 19 passing on 17 attempts.

Valley Center's hard-charging Stanton Upson was held to 26 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Beau Reilly was sacked six times ---- three by Thomas Molesi.

"We knew Valley Center was a running team, so we stayed low and put the pressure on them," Molesi said. "I love this defense.

"Honestly, it's the best defense I've been a part of in my four years at Oceanside."

Tarrant called the Pirates' defense "a band of brothers."

Valley Center coach Rob Gilster called it "awesome."

"Oceanside is very, very good," Gilster said. "They play with a speed and strength we haven't seen. They do things that you just can't simulate in practice.

"Our guys weren't scared and they didn't quit. We just could block or tackle them.

"Their offense is good, but the defense is the key for them. You just can't get a first down.

"Their linebackers run down hill. Molesi and No. 72 (Kenny Galeai) are great. The linebackers ---- No. 54 (Markis Tokio) and 56 (Phillip Lopez) are really good.

"And the DBs ---- (King) Holder and (Jerry) Whittaker ---- are so quick.

"There not much there to attack."

Oceanside used 10 different ball carriers in rushing for 212 yards.

Quarterback Quentis Clark completed 9-of-17 passes for 125 yards. DeMario Coleman had six catches for 124 yards.

"We made some errors on offense (losing two fumbles and allowing three sacks)," said Oceanside coach John Carroll. "We had some breakdowns in protection, route running and turned the ball over.

"Defensively, we played with passion and got them out of their offense."

Contact staff writer John Maffei at 760-740-3547.