Capistrano Valley Holds On, Beats Tustin

Tustin kicker Adam Teshke missed left on a 36-yard field goal attempt with 15 seconds remaining and Capistrano Valley left with a 21-20 victory over the Tillers Friday night at Capistrano Valley.

Tustin started its final drive on its 20-yard line after the Cougars scored their go-ahead touchdown with 4:42 remaining. On third and 10 from the 25, Brandon Malcom was stopped just inside the 20 with 40 seconds left and the Tillers, without any timeouts remaining, ran their field-goal unit onto the field.

The miss negated a second comeback by the Tillers, who trailed, 14-0, before scoring three consecutive touchdowns.

Tustin’s first score came on the heels of an 80-yard drive in the closing minutes of the first half. James Sargent, who rushed for 112 yards in 30 carries, ran in from two yards but was then stopped short on the two-point conversion.

Tustin (1-3) received the second-half kickoff and marched another 80 yards in 14 plays, with BrandenMalcom running in from a yard out. Malcom then hit Sargent on a two-point halfback option pass to tie the score, 14-14, with 5:15 left in the third quarter.

After a fumble by Capistrano Valley at midfield, Tustin scored on its third consecutive possession. Malcom, who rushed for 166 yards in 26 carries, took a sweep around the right side for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:32 left in the third quarter. However, he was stopped a yard short on the two-point try.

Capistrano Valley (3-1) turned the ball over again early in the fourth quarter, but quickly stopped Tustin on downs and got the ball back with 8:29 remaining. Ryan Richards’ 32-yard reception moved the ball to the Tillers’ 12, and five plays later quarterback Garrett Gray sneaked in from the one.