Ground attack propels Tustin to victory

ANAHEIM - Both teams had their star running backs recovering from knee injuries and both still found a way to  surpass 100 yards.

The difference was that Tustin's Anthony Wilkerson, who rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown, got some help from other teammates in a 21-16 victory over Western  on Friday night at Western High.

 Tustin (2-3) rushed for 293 yards and scored all three of its touchdowns on the ground. Ameer Webb, who had 52 rushing  yards, gave the Tillers a 7-0 lead with a 16-yard run in the second quarter.

"Everyone contributed tonight," Tustin coach Myron Miller said. "We tried to  really mix it up and match up physically with them."

Fullback Wade Minshew was another contributor in the Tillers  backfield, rushing for 55 yards and a touchdown.

"We knew it was going to be a really physical game so we just had  to pound it in and get some yards on every play," Minshew said. "I think we  played really well, but a few of our mistakes almost cost us the game."

Almost is the key word.

Western (2-2) broke three plays for 40 yards or more, but they  were all stopped short deep in Tustin  territory thanks to the recovery speed of the Tillers' Webb.

"Webb's speed really saved those from being a touchdown and in a  five-point game those plays were huge," Miller said. "A million things went  wrong for us tonight and our kids rose to the occasion."

The Pioneers had to settle for one touchdown from Ruben Ortega,  who rushed for 178 yards and two scores, out of those three trips inside the  Tillers 20-yard line.

"We stayed close the whole night, but sometimes you come up a  little short," said Ortega, who was playing through a knee injury he suffered a  week ago.

Wilkerson put the Tillers ahead for good late in the fourth  quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Click here for full game stats.

Contact the writer: acasas@ocregister.com