Trabuco Hills’ Defense Clicks Against El Toro

There was never a doubt Trabuco Hills’ offense could score. But after its defense surrendered nearly 1,000 yards in the first two games, the question was could it score enough.

The Mustangs’ defense played its best game of the season Friday, limiting powerful El Toro to only 204 total yards, nine in the fourth quarter. Trabuco Hills scored nine points in the final 4:33 en route to an emotional 16-13 upset of the 10-ranked Chargers at Trabuco Hills High.

The Mustangs (3-2) will take a three-game winning streak into next Friday’s South Coast League opener at San Clemente. The Chargers drop to 3-2.

“Our kids are starting to believe,” Trabuco Hills Coach Bill Crow said. “We still made a lot of mental errors on offense, but our defense just grinded it out until the offense could get untracked. It was a great win.”

Trabuco Hills scored the winning touchdown with 52 seconds left on a two-yard run by quarterback Tom Lindow. It was set up by a 30-yard pass to Lorin Yannarell and a 35-yard run by Billy Ortiz on first down and 15. It was the only carry for Ortiz in the game and moved the ball to the El Toro 11.

“We were on the goal line a couple of times and couldn’t get in,” said Lindow, who was 12 of 19 for 196 yards and one interception. He was also sacked on fourth and goal on the El Toro six with 6:49 remaining in the game. “I was just hoping to get another chance, and I did. That [last touchdown] made up for the whole game. It was our defense, to be honest, that stepped it up.”

El Toro’s offense accounted for only 75 yards in the first half and scored both touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half. Murle Sango capped a 65-yard, 13-play drive with a one-yard run and Michael Smith caught a 47-yard touchdown pass for a 13-0 Chargers lead.