Haynes Lifts Foothill Over Villa Park

Foothill’s Franklin Haynes rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns, made a key interception and broke up a critical pass on fourth down with 1:33 left in the game to stop Villa Park and give the Knights a 27-23 Century League victory Friday at Tustin High.

Foothill (7-2 overall, 4-0 in league) will meet Canyon, also 4-0 in league, next Friday with the winner capturing the league title. Villa Park (3-6, 1-3) needs a victory over El Modena next week and a loss by Orange to reach the playoffs.

Foothill nearly lost the game as Villa Park scored 21 points in the third quarter. Ryan Wann scored on an 11-yard run, Dallas Dapper on a 22-yard run and Todd Snider on a 93-yard kickoff return to pull ahead of the Knights, who led, 6-2, at halftime.

Haynes’ 70-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and two touchdown passes by Foothill quarterback Tyler Lang in the fourth quarter--including the eventual game-winner for 11 yards to Chad Concolino after Haynes’ interception--put the Knights ahead with 8 minutes 48 seconds left.

But a fumble by Haynes was recovered by Villa Park at their own 49. That gave the Spartans one last chance.

Villa Park quarterback Matt Jackson completed a 15-yard pass to Spencer Grace for a first down at the Foothill 32. Three running plays moved the ball three yards to set up a fourth-and-seven situation.

Jackson threw a short sideline pass to receiver Dache Dameron, but Haynes was able to break it up and preserve Foothill’s victory.

“I felt bitter and I was disappointed because I fumbled and we almost didn’t win the game,” said Haynes, who has played in eight of the Knights’ nine games this season but has run for 1,330 yards and has 10 rushing touchdowns. “But I felt satisfaction about getting another chance.”