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  • Irvine's Jonathan Garcia tries to figure out a way past...

    Irvine's Jonathan Garcia tries to figure out a way past Estancia's Wilmer Sanchez as he returns a kickoff during Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High.

  • Irvine's Jonathan Garcia blocks Estancia's Konrad O'Daly as Brent Miller...

    Irvine's Jonathan Garcia blocks Estancia's Konrad O'Daly as Brent Miller runs with the ball during Irvine's first possession in Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High.

  • Estancia's Trevor Brown barely tips out Wilmer Sanchez as the...

    Estancia's Trevor Brown barely tips out Wilmer Sanchez as the pair intercept a pass intended for Irvine's Brennan Ernst during the first quarter of Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High.

  • Estancia's Jordan Alcazar looks for a hole in the Irvine...

    Estancia's Jordan Alcazar looks for a hole in the Irvine defense after taking a handoff early in the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High.

  • Irvine quarterback Joseph Carter, left, is stopped by Estancia's Jason...

    Irvine quarterback Joseph Carter, left, is stopped by Estancia's Jason Jones during the first quarter of Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High. Irvine scored three third-quarter touchdowns to win, 27-17.

  • Irvine quarterback Joseph Carter looks to pass during the first...

    Irvine quarterback Joseph Carter looks to pass during the first quarter of Friday's nonleague game against Estancia at Irvine High.

  • Irivine's Ethan Dossett tries to tackle Estancia's Trevor Brown during...

    Irivine's Ethan Dossett tries to tackle Estancia's Trevor Brown during Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High.

  • Estancia's Jordan Alcazar slips through the hands of Irvine's Brent...

    Estancia's Jordan Alcazar slips through the hands of Irvine's Brent Miller during the first quarter of Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High.

  • Estancia's Wilmer Sanchez looks for a hole in the Irvine...

    Estancia's Wilmer Sanchez looks for a hole in the Irvine defense as Brent Miller closes in for the tackle midway through the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Irvine High.

  • Irvine quarterback Joseph Carter hands the ball off to Brent...

    Irvine quarterback Joseph Carter hands the ball off to Brent Miller late in the first quarter of Friday's nonleague game against Estancia at Irvine High.

  • Like modern day gunslingers, referees for the Irvine vs. Estancia...

    Like modern day gunslingers, referees for the Irvine vs. Estancia game make their way to the field before the start of the game on Friday evening at Irvine High School.

  • Estancia players take the field as they prepare for the...

    Estancia players take the field as they prepare for the kickoff against Irvine on Friday night at Irvine High.

  • Irvine's littlest cheerleader in training, Abigail Rescendez, 20 months, works...

    Irvine's littlest cheerleader in training, Abigail Rescendez, 20 months, works on her pom-pom skills as her team faced off against Estancia Friday evening at Irvine High School.

  • A lone videographer stands by on top of the announcer's...

    A lone videographer stands by on top of the announcer's box before Irvine's game against Estancia on Friday evening.

  • Irvine cheerleader captain Allie Gottschalk, 18, is joined by co-captains,...

    Irvine cheerleader captain Allie Gottschalk, 18, is joined by co-captains, Alexis Escobar, 17, and Maddie Terry, 17, before the start of their game against Estancia on Friday night at Irvine High.

  • Irvine fans show their spirit in the battle against Estancia...

    Irvine fans show their spirit in the battle against Estancia on Friday evening at Irvine High School.

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IRVINE – Three third-quarter touchdowns proved to be the deciding factor as Irvine defeated Estancia, 27-17, in a nonleague game Friday night at Irvine High.

With the score tied at 7 at the half, the momentum shifted early in the third quarter when Estancia (1-2) was forced to punt after a sack by Ben Roznos on third down.

The low-kicked punt was caught by Jonathan Garcia, who returned it for a 28-yard touchdown.

Later in the quarter, it was Brent Miller who stole the show as the Vaqueros (2-1) put the game out of reach.

With 3:11 left in the quarter, Miller scored on a 12-yard rushing touchdown and on the next Vaqueros defensive series, Miller blocked the Eagles punt and returned for a 4-yard touchdown, giving his team a 27-10 lead.

Miller finished the game with 53 yards on 11 carries.

The first half was dominated on the defensive side of the ball as both teams forced multiple turnovers.

At the nine-minute mark in the first quarter, Estancia’s Trevor Brown picked off an errant throw by Irvine’s Joseph Carter, leading to the game’s first touchdown, a 1-yard rushing score by Jordan Balcazar, giving the Eagles a 7-0 advantage.

The Eagles added another interception at the end of the first quarter by senior linebacker Alejandro Mondragon.

Although no touchdowns came as a result, Irvine forced turnovers of its own in the first quarter, an impressive diving interception by Miller, who later also recovered a fumble on a broken Estancia option play.

In the second quarter, the Vaqueros tied the score at 7 on the heels of an interception by Logan Dory at the 10-yard line, setting up Garcia’s 10-yard rushing score.

Roznos and Luke Coleman each recorded two sacks on the night for Irvine.