KING CITY >> For all the offensive firepower that the Padres had on display, it was a kickoff return to open the second half that changed the complexion of the game.

For the second time in the game, Simeon Brown ran back a kickoff more than 70 yards for a touchdown, igniting a run of 14 points over the first 2:15 of the second half in Carmel’s 66-33 win over host King City.

The win also tied a school record for consecutive regular season wins (18) for the defending Mission Division South champions, who improved to 6-0 on the season.

“I thought the offense was efficient tonight,” Carmel coach Golden Anderson said. “We scored on all but our last drive. We had the two touchdowns on special teams. It was kind of a sparring match in the first half.”

Brown’s kickoff return, coupled with an interception that led to a Hudson Rutherford touchdown pass extended Carmel’s lead to 30 in the third quarter.

“The kickoff return was big,” Anderson said. “It was still a two-score game at the time. King City had a good game plan. It isn’t always what we didn’t do. It’s what the opponent did. King City has some guys that made plays.”

That would include quarterback Junior Manriquez, who had two touchdown runs and tossed a touchdown for the Mustangs, while Carson Tidwell went over 100 yards rushing.

“We learned tonight that we can compete at a high level when we execute,” King City coach Mac Villanueva said. “Offensively, we did some great stuff against them. That’s just an extremely well-coached team with some quality athletes.”

Rutherford picked apart the King City defense with three touchdowns passes, while Ashton Rees had touchdown runs of 19 and 65 yards, giving him 12 touchdowns on the season.

Rutherford connected with Ty Arnold, Matt Maxon and Brooklyn Ashe for touchdowns, while Maxon also caught a touchdown pass from Kaleb Herro. Connor Reilly closed the scoring.

Carmel, which is on fall break next week, will have a bye week before it hosts Rancho San Juan in two weeks.

“It’s unique for us,” Anderson said.

“It comes at a nice time. We’ll have a couple of days of practice and give them a break. Let the kids go on college trips, or let their parents take them out of town. All of us need to recharge the batteries.”