Tustin Defeats Canyon, Loses a Key Player

Tustin Coach Myron Miller earned his first Southern Section Division V football playoff victory with the Tillers in a 41-21 victory Saturday over Canyon, but it came with a heavy price tag.

David Wilford, a 6-foot-5 starting offensive tackle who helped the second-seeded Tillers rush for 357 yards against Canyon, was ejected from the game late in the fourth quarter and will have to miss Tustin’s second-round game against Loara next week.

According to Miller, Wilford received the ejection for allegedly punching a Canyon lineman while in the pile after a running play.

“Our chances of getting by Loara without Wilford are very slim,” Miller said. “Now I’ll have to take a JV player and turn him into a tackle this week.”

The play overshadowed a balanced effort by Tustin (10-1), especially on defense.

The Tillers intercepted a pass that led to a touchdown, recovered three fumbles and made two key sacks as Canyon (7-4) was driving on its last possession of the first half.

Tustin’s offense showed its versatility as quarterback Todd Scott completed six of eight passes for 125 yards and a 37-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Dobson.

Tustin’s running backs also fared well. Fullback Greg Carnal finished the game 154 yards in 16 carries and Brandon Lambert had 89 yards and scored four touchdowns.