SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Schurr Thing: Esperanza in Final Again

Think you can beat Esperanza High School’s football team? Schurrrr .

OK, Esperanza fell behind for only the third time this season, but once the Aztecs warmed up, Montebello Schurr was easily swept aside--as were their 26 previous opponents the past two seasons.

Esperanza dominated both sides of the line and rolled to a 49-7 victory Friday night in the semifinals of the Southern Section Division III playoffs before 4,000 at Montebello High.

The victory moves Esperanza (13-0) into the division’s championship game for the second straight year. The Aztecs will play host to the winner of tonight’s Los Alamitos-Hart semifinal at College of the Canyons.

Esperanza is now five victories away

from Edison’s county record of 32 in a row.

Now, for the only anxious moment in a one-sided game. Schurr, utilizing a veer offense, drove 70 yards in nine plays on its opening possession and took a 7-0 lead when fullback Kiki Casillas scored on a four-yard run.

The touchdown was a wake-up call for Esperanza, which earlier this season had trailed Cypress and El Dorado, 3-0, in Empire League games before gaining victories. A couple of defensive adjustments and the calming of quarterback Josh Buscaglio’s nerves was all Esperanza needed.

“We went to sleep a little on that first drive and were over-pursuing,” said Bill Pendleton, Esperanza’s defensive coordinator. “We made an adjustment by moving the linebackers back a couple of steps and filled the gaps.”

As a result, the Spartans failed to gain a first down on its next two possessions and fell behind, 14-7, at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, the roof had caved in on Schurr as two botched punt attempts cost the Spartans two touchdowns.

Esperanza opened the third quarter with a 68-yard touchdown drive and then followed with a quick touchdown when Kevin Shoop blocked a punt and teammate Jeff Swanson fell on the ball in the end zone for a 28-7 lead.

Buscaglio, who overthrew his opening four passes, threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Corbett for a 35-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. The play signaled a clearing of the bench for Esperanza.

“Josh was real nervous at the beginning, but he settled down and threw the ball real well,” said Gary Meek, Esperanza coach. “I’m just glad to get by this one. I don’t care who we play next week.”

Esperanza’s standout lineman Travis Kirschke echoed Meek’s feelings, but when pressed further, the most valuable player of the Empire League, said, “Deep down, I think we’d like to play Hart. I’m sure that’s the game the fans want to see.”

Last year, Esperanza edged Hart, 38-35, in the semifinals. It was voted the game of the year in the state by Cal-Hi Sports. Unfortunately, Schurr couldn’t match the excitement in this year’s semifinal game.