TUSTIN – With just three league games, two automatic playoff spots available and the league’s top three teams in three separate playoff divisions, every Crestview League game is critical.
Yorba Linda got the inside track on one of those two spots with a 27-9 victory over Foothill in each team’s league opener at Tustin High on Friday.
“This first one is crucial,” Yorba Linda quarterback Luke Wilson said. “We want to make a deep run in playoffs. We’re looking forward to Villa Park next week. We want a league title.”
No. 20 Yorba Linda (7-1, 1-0) was able to outpace a Foothill team that has been decimated by injuries over the last few weeks.
“We’re definitely not the same team we were when we started the season,” Foothill coach Doug Case said. “Hopefully, we can get some injured guys back for next week (against Canyon).”
No. 18 Foothill (5-3, 0-1) lost quarterback Bobby Garcia last week, which forced their offensive game plan to focus on running back Dante Swayne.
Swayne carried the ball on 22 of Foothill’s first 26 offensive plays for 97 yards before being taken out as a precaution.
“They were undermanned with their quarterback out, and you can see it.” Yorba Linda coach Jeff Bailey said. “We played kind of sloppy, but I’m happy with the kids. They made plays when they counted and put together some drives to get points.”
Foothill took the lead with a 27-yard field goal by Andrew Robles on its opening drive.
Yorba Linda responded with a field goal of its own, a 38-yarder by Cole Magliano, before taking over in the second quarter.
The Mustangs got the ball down the field in chunks on a quick, 80-yard drive. Kyle McManus took a pitch to the right and burst up the Yorba Linda sideline 30 yards for the game’s first touchdown and a 10-3 lead.
Ricky Lane intercepted Foothill two plays later, and Magliano cashed in with a 36-yard field goal for a 13-3 halftime lead.
Lane’s interception was the first of three by Yorba Linda on Foothill’s five pass attempts.
After the Mustangs’ second interception by Luke Lasalle, Jaydyn Webb scored on a 1-yard touchdown run for a 20-3 lead.
Lane caught a 44-yard bomb from Wilson for a TD and 27-3 lead late in the third quarter.
Wilson finished 14-of-19 passing for 164 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Lane caught six passes for 91 yards.
McManus lead the Mustangs’ rushing attack with eight carries for 66 yards.
