Irvine Line Opens Holes for Seal in 14-6 Victory

The big boys on the left side of Irvine High School’s offensive line paved the way for running back Scott Seal to gain 160 yards Thursday night in a 14-6 nonleague victory over Villa Park at Fred Kelly Stadium.

Curt Cannon, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound senior tackle, and guard Jon Marcot, a 6-1, 215-pound senior guard, opened the holes that allowed Seal to repeatedly rush for five- and six-yard gains.

Seal didn’t have a run of more than 14 yards as he bulled his way over defenders, finishing with 36 carries in a ground-oriented game that was dominated by defense.

Irvine (2-0) forced four fumbles in the first half alone, including one by Villa Park tailback Ryan Tsui on the first play of the game that was recovered by defensive end Robert Hernandez.

Hernandez’s fumble recovery set up the first of two Seal touchdown runs, both of which followed Villa Park turnovers. Seal scored on a one-yard run for the only touchdown of the first half.

Irvine’s second touchdown was set up by linebacker Eddie McRoberts’ interception with 3 minutes 14 seconds remaining in the game. McRoberts picked off Villa Park quarterback A.J. Strapp’s pass at the Villa Park 25 and returned it to the nine.

Seal rushed eight yards and then plunged one yard for the score.

Villa Park’s only touchdown was also the result of a turnover. Seal, tiring midway through the fourth quarter, fumbled at his own 11-yard line and defensive back Mike Salorio scooped up the loose ball and ran untouched into the end zone.

Villa Park (1-1) was playing without its best running back, Don Bladow, who injured his shoulder last week against Bolsa Grande. The Spartans managed only 81 yards rushing.

Cannon, one of the blue-chip linemen in the county, was the standout in the game.

“We’ve had a lot of big-time linemen at Irvine High, and he’s the best we’ve ever had,” Irvine Coach Terry Henigan said. “There’s going to be a lot of schools after him before the season’s over.”