This Time, Tustin Doesn’t Let Foothill Get Into the Game
So much for worrying about the city rival.
So much for thinking that a close victory in the season opener meant anything in Week 11.
So much for thinking Foothill had a chance against Tustin.
Sparked by Chris Chester and getting standard performances from everyone else, third-seeded Tustin got past Foothill, 54-22, in front of about 5,000 Friday at Tustin High.
The victory moves Tustin (10-2) into the second round of the Southern Section Division VI playoffs against Loara, a 31-14 winner over Cerritos.
Foothill lost its first game under Coach Doug Case, 6-0, to Tustin in the first game of the season. Foothill went on to share the Century League title with El Modena and Villa Park. The Knights ended their season 5-6.
“I told the kids we had to play our best game to win,” Case said, “and then we fumbled on the first play of the game.”
At least they recovered that fumble. The didn’t recover the fumble two plays later. Chester did, and quarterback David Miller capped a 12-yard drive with a six-yard run less than three minutes into the game.
It didn’t get any better right away. After three downs and a punt, Tustin went 43 yards in three plays, including a 21-yard pass from David Miller to Ricky Miller, who then scored on a 15-yard run with less than six minutes elapsed.
It wasn’t until then that Foothill found its bearings, but every time the Knights appeared to get back in the game, Tustin took them out of it immediately.
* Mark Golino kicked a 36-yard field goal in the final minute of the first quarter to cut Foothill’s deficit to 12-3. Two plays later, Tustin’s Chester reeled off a 90-yard touchdown run for a 20-3 lead.
* On Foothill’s next offensive play, Chester recovered a fumble and carried it 19 yards. Four plays later, Ricky Miller capped a 12-yard drive from three yards, providing a 26-3 margin.
* Foothill’s Derek Fitch passed 54 yards to Tyler Krudwig with 1 minute 11 seconds left in the first half, cutting the deficit to 26-10. Tustin answered with a 65-yard drive, highlighted by a 32-yard pass from Miller to Chester to the one-yard line. Frostee Rucker scored from there with 11 seconds left. The halftime lead was 34-10.
* Foothill’s Fitch passed five yards to Kurt Katnik to cut the deficit to 34-16 midway through the third quarter. Denny Casupanan returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a 40-16 lead.
Foothill’s final score, a 38-yard interception return by Ryan Jenkins, was answered by an eight-minute, 80-yard drive that ended with Ricky Miller’s third touchdown, from four yards.
Miller rushed 18 times for 127 yards, and Chester finished with five carries for 104. Tustin gained 468 yards, 415 rushing. Foothill gained 159, only 38 on the ground.
DIVISION VI
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