Walsh Scores 3 Touchdowns for El Toro

While leading rusher Ryan Switzer sat out the game with an injury, El Toro turned to sophomore Nick Walsh, who ran for 214 yards and three touchdowns as the Chargers defeated Foothill, 35-7, in a nonleague game Friday night at Tustin High.

Walsh, who came in for Switzer in last week’s loss to Servite, made an immediate impact when he scored on a 66-yard touchdown on the Chargers’ second play from scrimmage.

His overall performance made an impact on Coach Mike Milner.

“Nick has great vision on the field and he made some good cuts,” said Milner. “We also played very well up front. Nick is going to be a very good player for us.”

Foothill tied the score, 7-7, when DeJuan Smith raced 44 yards with seven minutes 35 seconds left in the first quarter.

Smith was otherwise held in check as he finished with 54 yards in 11 carries.

El Toro (2-2) took the lead for good when Smith fumbled a punt later in the quarter and Chris Zapata returned it 10 yards for a touchdown.

Evan Whitaker completed a 13-yard scoring strike to Pat Parry with 1:35 left in the opening quarter as the Chargers took a 21-7 lead.

Walsh made it 28-7 before halftime with a 27-yard touchdown run.

His third score of the evening came on a three-yard run with just over two minutes gone in the second half.

Skyler Champion led Foothill (0-4) on offense with 98 yards rushing in 20 carries, but the Knights’ defense gave up 367 yards and has yet to hold an opponent to less than 30 points this season.