PREP FOOTBALL : Penalty Helps Tustin Turn Victory Into Defeat : Last-Minute Pass-Interference Call Is Break Canyon Needs for 13-10 Decision

Marijon Ancich, Tustin High School coach, thought his team had won when a pass from Canyon quarterback Todd French fell incomplete in the Tustin end zone with 2:08 remaining in Thursday night’s Century League game at Fred Kelly Stadium.

The Tillers were clinging to a 10-6 lead when French’s pass landed in the end zone on a fourth-down play from the Tustin 14. Unfortunately for Tustin, a penalty flag fell in same vicinity and, moments later, the Comanches were celebrating a 13-10 win.

Ancich left the field in search of a way to explain to his team how a controversial pass interference penalty turned what looked like certain victory into sudden defeat.

“I don’t mind getting beat by the other team,” he said, “but I hate being beat by a (bleep) referee.”

The penalty gave the Comanches a first down at the Tustin 7 and, two plays later, Earl Whetstone scored from 2 yards out with 1:29 to play to give Canyon the victory. French, who suffered through his worst statistical performance of the season (8 of 19 passing for 102 yards, 1 interception), completed passes of 19 and 14 yards and Whetstone ran for 16 yards on a draw play to set up the bizarre finish.

Canyon Coach Rod Hust said he saw the game’s biggest play the same way the officials did. “Yes, definitely,” he said. “The ball was in the air and (the defensive back) hit the kid and knocked him down.”

The kid in question was wide receiver Steve Lichtenwalter, who entered the game on Canyon’s last possession after Chuck Zacour, the Comanches’ leading receiver, left with an injury. Afterward, Lichtenwalter pleaded his case on the interference call . . . sort of.

Asked if he was interfered with, he said: “Yeah, I think so.”

Tustin took a 10-6 lead with 10:01 to play on Tom Kotlar’s 31-yard field goal, set up by a 25-yard pass play from Tustin quarterback George Menges to tight end Dave Patstone and a 17-yard run by Tim Hollinger.

Canyon got the opportunity to take the lead when Menges, under heavy pressure, lofted a pass deep into the Comanche secondary where Brett Hatz intercepted.

C--Whetstone 1 run (kick failed)

T--Gankema 2 run (Kotlar kick)

T--FG Kotlar 31

C--Whetstone 2 run (Snitko kick)

Attendance--300