Bellarmine-Jefferson football no match for Hillcrest Christian

SIMI VALLEY — Junior Paulius Kasteckas had a lot on his shoulders for the Bellarmine-Jefferson High football team in the Guards’ nonleague game Friday against Hillcrest Christian.

Without their second-leading rusher, Tomas Butkus, who was injured the previous week and is lost for the season, the Guards called on Kasteckas to carry the offense load. Although the junior did his share, scoring rushing and receiving touchdowns, his effort alone wasn’t enough to carry Bell-Jeff.

Miscues in the first quarter opened the door for Hillcrest Christian, which used a successful passing attack to earn a 76-24 victory against the Guards at Royal High.

“When Tomas went down last week, it really took a lot out of this team,” said Bell-Jeff Coach Fred Martinez about the junior who was also a starter on defense. “Not having him in there just put so much pressure on Paulius.

“It’s just tough and a lot to ask of a 16- or 17-year-old kid. He did what he could to help us, but he just couldn’t do it all.”

Kasteckas suffered an injury in the fourth quarter and didn’t return for Bell-Jeff (2-5). He ran a wildcat offense for the Guards and most of his yardage came on direct snaps. He ended the game with 23 carries for 183 yards and touchdowns of 53 and 14 yards. He also had four catches for 86 yards and a 25-yard touchdown.

Other than Kasteckas, the Guards gained only 21 additional yards on the ground in the game.

“It was an issue and a difficulty for us not having Tomas in there,” Kasteckas said. “But we knew that and we practiced for that, not having him.

“What we were really missing is the size, because they were a lot bigger than us. Also we are very young, with half of our team freshmen.”

After the Saints (5-2) returned the opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown, the Guards quickly answered. On the first play from scrimmage for Bell-Jeff, Kasteckas took the snap and raced for a 53-yard touchdown that tied the score at 6.

After two scores by the Saints, the Guards kept things close in the first quarter when Kasteckas scored on a 14-yard run with no time left to pull Bell-Jeff to within 21-12.

But things started to go south for the Guards in the second quarter, as Hillcrest Christian ramped up its passing game and outscored Bell-Jeff, 34-6, to head into halftime with a 55-18 advantage.

Bell-Jeff quarterbacks were intercepted three times. The team also had a fumble, which was returned for a Hillcrest Christian touchdown.

Saints senior quarterback Ryan Hagge peppered the Bell-Jeff defense, completing 12 of 15 passes for 273 yards and six touchdowns – all in the first half.

“Ryan is a three-year starter for us, so he really has the experience,” Saints Coach Robert Fanto said. “What’s nice is that we have a team that is well diversified on the offense. We can run power football and we can pass, as well. We have the ability to attack a defense multiple ways. We wanted to open things up when we had the chance.”

Hagge’s main target was senior Troy Brown, who had five catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

With the game played with a running clock late in the second quarter, the Saints increased their lead to 69-24 after three quarters.

Bell-Jeff freshman quarterback Rameon Witt completed three of six passes for 86 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

The Guards conclude their season Thursday with a nonleague game against Milken Community at Birmingham High.