SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – Tesoro capitalized on mistakes and scored 28 consecutive points in the third quarter of a 45-14 South Coast League victory over host San Juan Hills on Friday night.
Seventh-ranked Tesoro (8-2, 3-1) clinched second place in the South Coast League and an automatic berth into the CIF-SS West Valley Division playoffs with the victory.
“It’s good,” Tesoro coach Matt Poston said. “Now we’ve got a shot. Just like everybody else.”
Leading 17-7 at halftime, Tesoro ran the ball right at San Juan Hills (4-6, 1-3) to begin the second half. Devon Modster started the scoring barrage with a 15-yard touchdown run.
“There’s no magic answer,” Poston said of his team flipping the switch after a sluggish start. “We just started playing football. We started running. We started passing.”
Tesoro recovered the ensuing kickoff at the San Juan Hills 15-yard line after the Stallions failed to field a high bounce. Matt Buoncristiani took advantage with a 12-yard touchdown run for a 31-7 lead.
After the teams traded interceptions, Tesoro broke up a San Juan Hills double-reverse play. Jamie Pierson recovered and returned the forced fumble 50 yards for a touchdown and a 38-7 lead.
Tesoro scored again on a 12-yard pass from Modster to Jake Smeltzer for a 45-7 lead.
The game started with a scoreless, turnover-filled first quarter before Tesoro found a groove in the second quarter.
Justin Matlin opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter for a 3-0 Tesoro lead.
On the ensuing San Juan Hills drive, Tesoro’s defense held its ground on fourth down at midfield. The Titans offense took advantage and followed with an 11-play drive, capped by Modster’s 9-yard touchdown run for a 10-0 lead.
Tesoro’s defense held again deep in San Juan Hills territory and forced a punt. Josh Nelson fielded the short punt and returned it 43 yards to the Stallions’ 7-yard line. Modster ran in on the next play for a 17-0 lead.
Modster finished with 67 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries and was 11-for-21 passing for 108 yards with one touchdown.
