TUSTIN – Not even longtime Tustin coach Myron Miller could remember the last time the Tillers posted a shutout.
But after a humbling loss the week before, Tustin came prepared Friday night and turned away every Pacifica threat for a 31-0 Empire League victory at Tustin High.
“We’ve gotten punched in the mouth the last two weeks,” said Tustin’s George Wilson, who returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. “Today was a big step forward.”
Tustin (5-3, 2-1) gave up the final 27 points in a 41-21 loss to Cypress, but remained tight from start to finish against the Mariners (1-7, 0-3), who lost their sixth in a row.
Wilson’s interception return was the key play of the first half, but the Utah-bound speedster also had a key fumble recovery on Tustin’s opening drive. Aramie Faletoi fumbled at the end of a short run, but Wilson was there to fall on it for his teammate near midfield.
On the same drive, Tustin quarterback Alema Pilimai was sacked and lost the ball, but teammate Devon Anderson was there to scoop it up and even gained 5 yards, putting the Tillers in position for Brayan Camacho’s 21-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Eli Asiata capped a 12-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run on Tustin’s first possession of the second half. Pilimai added a 1-yard sneak for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and Tyler Noble pushed the lead to 31-0 on a 27-yard run.
