Foothill Holds Off Troy for First Victory of Season

It wasn’t secured until the last play of the game, but Foothill earned its first victory of season by beating Troy, 31-28, Friday night at Tustin High.

The Knights (1-3) took a 31-21 lead with 8 minutes 48 seconds left on a fourth-and-11 play which resulted in a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Robbie Koster to Matt Hall.

Troy (1-3) answered with a six-play drive culminated by a 10-yard run by Eddie Ayala to put the Warriors within three points with 6:07 left.

Foothill moved the ball down the field and tried to run out the clock, but Koster was sacked for a 15-yard loss to give Troy the ball at its 38 with 22 seconds left.

Quarterback Stephen Muther threw four incomplete passes to end the game.

“Our kids really needed a win for their confidence,” Foothill Coach Tom Meiss said. “We can build on this.”

Troy led briefly in the second quarter, 14-9, before running back Dana Pino-Dempsey took a handoff from Koster, rolled to his right and threw the ball to wide receiver Chad Concolino for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Koster connected with Jonathan Whiddon for the two-point conversion and a 17-14 halftime lead.

Concolino, the county’s second-leading receiver coming into the game, finished with seven receptions for 104 yards.

Troy was led by running back Adrian Vargas, who had 114 yards in 16 carries and had a 14-yard touchdown.