Hide Article Text (OCR)
PORTSports Editor: Michael Felten is at mfelten@ocregister.com © (949) 553-2916 ® (949) 553-2925 faxoothill streaks Into stretch driveKnights rout Warriors 46-26 and lead the Sea View League and division heading into the final two games.By MICHAEL FELTENThe Tustin NewsThey are right where they want to be.Eight games into the season, Foothill has won seven games, including all three of its league contests.Upsets have been averted, and a Homecoming queen was crowned not long after the Knights blew past Woodbridge with 39 consecutive points in the first half of a 46-26 victory on Friday night at Northrup Field.Foothill holds a one-game lead in the Sea View Leauge title chase with two games remaining against its closest pursuers, Irvine and NewportHarbor.The Knights meet the Va-queros (5-3, 2-1), who were upset by Aliso Niguel last week, Friday at Irvine High before finishing at home on Nov. 14 against the Sailors.“These are the league title games,” Foothill coach Doug Case said. “This is one of the things the guys have worked hard for.”Foothill not only holds the inside track to the league title in its first season in the Sea View League, but the Knights also are in control of the top seed in CIF Division VI.Foothill, which remained ranked No. 9 in the county top 10, moved into the top spot in Division VI when Covina Charter Oak defeated former top seed Hacienda Heights Los Altos last week.“A (playoff) seeding would be huge,” Case said. “But we’ll have to play our best.”The Knights will be the first to say they have yet to play a perfect game, but they didn’t let Woodbridge (1-7, 0-3) hang around long after the Warriors took a 7-0 lead after the opening drive of the game.Maikolo Liti (18 carries, 117 yards) rushed for four touchdowns in the first half and broke the 1,000-yard barrier for the third consecutive season.Quincy Lever (10 catches, 124 yards, one touchdown) increased his total to 57 catchesFOOTHILL RUNNING BACK MAIKOLO LITI tries to break through the Woodbridge defense during the Knights' 46-26 homecoming victory on Friday at Northrup Field. Liti scored four first-half touchdowns and 117 yards on 18 carries. The Knights (7-1, 3-0) are in first place in the Sea View League.this season, putting him second in the county in receptions and first in receiving yards.Lever not only could not stay covered on offense, but he came through with a punt block that led to a 38-yard field goal by Doug McAulay. It increased the portfolio of what has become the “Q” factor on special teams as Lever has a kickoff return for a touchdown, a punt block and a few big punt returns this season.Quarterback Don Poole also gave another steady performance as he completed 10 of his first 12 passes and finished 14 of 21 for 172 yards and a touchdown.The three senior skill position players have been the spotlight players of a 24-player strong senior class that is hungry for a league title.“The senior class has worked hard,” Case said. “But there are plenty of other guys that help out, including juniors and sophomores.”Junior linebacker Austin Hastings stepped in front of Tim Kegel’s pass and returned it for a touchdown for a 15-7lead after Liti’s two-point conversion run.Zach Winger recovered a fumble at midfield that led to Liti’s second touchdown run for a 22-7 lead.David Goto ruined a Woodbridge reverse, dropping the runner for a six-yard loss which led to Lever’s punt block. He also had a sack.Winger contributed again with a sack that led to a punt and good field position to set up Liti’s third touchdown run from 45 yards. He pressuredthe punter at the end of theWarriors next drive that led to a short punt and field position at Woodbridge’s 17-yard line that led to Liti’s fourth score and a 39-7 lead.“He (Liti) didn’t get a lot of yards because the defense gave great field position,” Case said. “I’ll take touchdowns over yards any day.”Junior wide receiver Brad Walker picked up strong yards with three first-half catches for 53 yards.Walker has contributed all season for a receiving corps that has been struck by injuries all season. With Yoko Hamamura and Tyler Garcia already out, Foothill was dealt another blow when Tom Clen-shaw was injured in pregame warm-ups. But Walker’s performance put him as the fifth Foothill receiver to gain more than a 100 yards this season.However, the return of senior Ryan Jenkins, who was out with an injury for a month, was a good sign. Jenkins couldn’t help getting involved quickly on defense with a second-half interception.“Getting Ryan back is really big,” said senior linebacker Brett Richardson, who had six tackles and a fumble recovery.Players returning from injuries have come at the perfect time.The Knights have been able to develop depth because of the injuries but will need a full stable to contain Irvine running back Terrell Vinson (1,503 yards, 16 TDs).“We want to be at full strength,” Case said.The eventual league champion and lop seed in the division will have to be.ilt; S.!mmS*.v ’ V f ». lt;A/J ASTEVE ZYLIUS/The Tustin News
Newspaper Details
Tustin News
Tustin, California, US
Thu, Nov 07, 2002
Page 19
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA, USA 21 Jun 2021
Other Publications Near Tustin, California
Tustin Living North
Tustin News
