Tustin takes Kennedy to school

TUSTIN - Anthony Wilkerson rushed for 354 yards Friday night, nearly breaking DeShaun Foster's single-game school record. The Tustin senior also scored six touchdowns. But he wasn't the player of the game.

Wilkerson agreed with that, too, after the No. 10 Tillers' opened their season with an impressive 56-28 victory against visiting Kennedy.

The Stanford-commit gave outside linebacker A.J. Rafter the honor for providing an early spark on defense. Rafter finished with three interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

"A.J. had a great game, player of the game," said Wilkerson, who carried 27 times before leaving with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter. "Over me."

Tustin erupted for 35 points in the first quarter, 21 of which came off turnovers made by the senior Rafter. The Tillers led 35-7 and controlled the rest of the way.

On Kennedy's opening possession, Rafter forced a fumble that he recovered at the Tillers' 37 yard line. Rafter then scored the Tillers' first touchdown, hauling in a 33-yard pass between defenders from quarterback Nick Di Maio.

Rafter then made two interceptions in the first quarter that led to Wilkerson touchdown runs. One of Rafter's interceptions was a diving catch along the sideline.

Wilkerson was equally spectacular. He rushed for 163 yards in the first quarter alone. Looking faster and more explosive than his All-County season of 2008, he highlighted his quarter with a 73 yard touchdown run that gave Tustin a 21-7 lead.

Wilkerson had 222 yards at halftime and 300 going into the fourth.

His bid to break Foster's 1997 single-game record of 379 yards suffered a blow when he had about a 43-yard gain on the first play of the fourth period called back by a holding penalty.

Wilkerson was still pleased with his night.

"There's no night without the offensive line," said Wilkerson, who ran behind linemen Jovanny Melendez, Humana Sasi, Manny Villa, Scotty Hungerford and Angel Rios, tight ends Denzale Stewart and Lorenzo Faleafaga and fullback Wade Minshew.

Wilkerson rushed for five touchdowns and also caught a 24-yard touchdown as the Tillers showed an improved passing attack.

Kennedy hung tough behind senior quarterback Andy Peterson and sophomore Eli Pleasant. Peterson overcame two early interceptions to throw for 340 yards.

Pleasant, the brother of Oregon's Ed Pleasant (Kennedy), made a strong varsity debut.

He scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in the first half and made a diving catch for an 11-yard score against Wilkerson's tight coverage in the fourth. "He's going to be a great player," Wilkerson said. "I thought I had him (covered)."

Pleasant finished with seven catches for 106 yards.