Foster Limps Some, Then Runs Past Servite

There were some anxious moments on the Tustin sideline midway through the third quarter Friday night at Cal State Fullerton.

DeShaun Foster, the Tillers’ multi-talented running back/defensive back limped off the field with No. 3 Tustin trailing Servite by four points.

It turned out to be just a mild case of leg cramps, which was bad news for Servite. Foster returned shortly thereafter and put the finishing touches on a record-setting performance that can only be considered just another ordinary night for him.

Foster ended finished with 263 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns to lead the unbeaten Tillers (9-0, 4-0) to a 43-28 victory.

It was the first Golden West League loss for Servite (4-5, 3-1) since the league was formed four seasons ago. Tustin can win the league title outright with a victory over Westminster next week.

Foster, who ran for scores of 57, nine, 65 and 49 yards, has 41 touchdowns on the ground this year, tying the county single-season record first set by Laguna Hills’ Brendan McGraw in 1994. The county’s leading rusher has carried 204 times for 2,119 yards.

Tiller placekicker Adam Teschke joined Foster in the record books, kicking five points after touchdowns. That gives Teschke 57 this season, besting the county mark of 55 set by Mike Coelho of Whittier Christian in 1989. Teschke has also tied the county career PAT record of 107 set by Keith Vanderhoff of El Modena (1981-83).

It took a good chewing out at halftime by Tiller Coach Myron Miller for Tustin to get going. The Tillers trailed, 20-15, when they went into the locker room and Miller wasn’t pleased.

“I challenged them,” Miller said. “We had never won a big game in the three years that I have been here and I told them that if we didn’t beat Servite we were going back in the heap. No one was going to be talking about Tustin any longer.”

Foster responded, breaking a 65-yard tackle-busting touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Servite regained the lead on a 16-yard run by Vince Reed, who finished with 123 yards on the ground.

But Tustin fullback David Little raced 40 yards with five minutes 14 seconds left in the quarter for a score and Teschke’s kick made it 29-28. The Tillers wore down the Friars after that, despite a 267-yard, one touchdown passing performance by Servite quarterback Ryan Garko.

“Coach put it right to us at halftime,” Tustin quarterback Todd Scott, whose 12-yard toss to wingback Julius Williams with 3:22 to go gave the Tillers a commanding lead. “He told us we were not playing our best ball and he said we were playing like a bunch of wimps.”