FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Southern California Christian Hangs Tough, but Loses

The final score read Village Christian 19, Southern California Christian 6, but that didn’t matter to Flames’ Coach Bert Esposito.

“I’ll take this game,” Esposito said. “I feel coming away from this game our team is on the right track, and what really matters is league (games). My offensive line improved 1000%.”

The Flames (0-2), last season’s Southern Section Division X champion, gave the Crusaders a tough game at Brea High School but three turnovers and 65 yards in penalties proved costly.

Village Christian (2-0) was led by running back Tarick Blair, who had 156 yards and two touchdowns in 21 carries.

Southern California took the early lead with tailback Mike Jacot scoring from 11 yards with 2:21 left in the first quarter. Jacot was the workhorse for the Crusaders, carrying the ball 24 times for 94 yards.

“He’s (Jacot) just an athlete. He’ll play defense. He’ll do it all,” Esposito said.

The Crusaders first two scoring drives were identical, with Blair leading both. Each drive began on the Flames’ 27-yard line, after they were forced to punt from their own end zone. Blair’s style was the only difference in the two drives. On the first touchdown, Blair plowed his way in from the 8-yard line. On the second, he outran the Flames from eight yards out.

Village’s final score was a six-play, 21-yard drive with Crusader quarterback David Treanor connecting on a 10-yarder with J.B. McLeod.