For Foothill, the Second Half Is Enough

Santa Ana Foothill High School showed it was a team of character as it came from behind to upset Riverside Poly, 25-19, Friday night at Northrup Field in Tustin.

The Knights (2-0) spotted the Bears a 19-0 first-half lead, then rolled up 25 points in the second half.

John Fishbeck led Foothill’s attack, scoring 3 touchdowns and rushing for 107 yards in 20 carries. The senior running back scored on runs of 28, 4 and 2 yards. He put the Knights ahead to stay with 9:07 to play in the game, going off right tackle from the two-yard line.

“Fishbeck is a great runner, and when you give him a hole, he’s through it,” Foothill Coach Ted Mullen said. “Tonight he showed that.”

Riverside Poly (1-1), Citrus Belt champion for six of the last seven years and The Times’ No. 3-ranked team this season, took a 6-0 lead in the second quarter. Quarterback Phillip Moore connected with John Ramirez, who was open in the end zone, on a 12-yard pass play.

Later, Bear running back Kenny White, who rushed for 61 yards in 9 carries, scored from nine yards out. Then the Bears scored their last touchdown when Chris Nix returned a blocked punt 24 yards for a 19-0 halftime lead.

Foothill, the fifth-ranked team in Orange County, shut down the Bear attack in the second half. With 2:09 remaining, Joiy Bennett recovered a Riverside Poly fumble at the Foothill 28 to preserve the victory.

“We let them back into the ballgame,” Riverside Poly Coach Mike Churchill said. “Foothill is a good ball club, and we gave them the chance to show it tonight.”

Foothill finished the scoring with Scott Ball’s 32-yard field goal with 7:20 remaining.