TUSTIN — As first games go, the one between the Foothill and Cypress high school football teams Friday night had a little bit of everything.
Cypress was sharper in most areas, however, allowing the Centurions to hold on for a 27-13 victory at Tustin High School.
Cypress’ Nathan Schneider scores a touchdown despite the defense of Foothill’s Ethan Charpentier during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill’s Aaron Mitchell, right celebrates a touchdown with teammate Emerson Hanson during their 27-13 loss to Cypress at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill’s Drew Nagler breaks up a pass intended for Cypress’ Trevor Monteleone during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress quarterback Aidan Houston is tackled by Foothill’s Ruben Guerrero during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Trevor Monteleone hauls in a pass under pressure from the Foothill defense during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Kaden Hollenbeck makes a big fourth down stop on Foothill’s Christopher Johnson during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Blake Cousimano scores a touchdown against Foothill at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Foothill quarterback Nicholas Miali throws a pass against Cypress during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress quarterback Aidan Houston scores a touchdown past the Foothill High defense during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress quarterback Aidan Houston scores a touchdown past the Foothill High defense during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress quarterback Aidan Houston scores a touchdown past the Foothill High defense during their game at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
The Cypress cheerleaders show their support during their 27-13 victory over Foothill at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
The Foothill High student section watches their teams’ game against Cypress at Tustin High School in Tustin on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Contributing Photographer)
“We had some big turnovers and turned those into big points,” Cypress coach Rick Feldman said. “We also had an important goal-line stand when we needed it most.”
That stand came late in the third quarter with the Centurions clinging to a 21-7 lead.
Cypress stopped junior running back Aaron Mitchell twice from inside the 5-yard line before he limped off the field. Christopher Johnson came in for the fourth-down carry from the 1 and was also stopped for no gain.
The Centurions then marched the length of the field and took 27-7 lead.
“I wasn’t really enthused about the turnovers or the mistakes we made,” Foothill coach Doug Case said. “We’re a young team and they’re a very good football team. We’re gonna make some mistakes and, unfortunately, we shot ourselves with some turnovers and a blocked punt.”
Foothill was moving the ball well on its opening drive behind Mitchell, but the Centurions forced a fumble and Destin Sanchez recovered, returning it to the Foothill 37.
Cypress then marched down the field with reigning Empire League MVP Matthew Morrell leading the way.
He gained 12 yards on a run play and later pulled down a 22-yard touchdown pass over the top of a Foothill defender to give the Centurions a 7-0 lead with 4:44 left in the first quarter.
The Centurions prevented the Knights from getting a first down on their next drive and Cypress then partially blocked the punt, allowing the offense to take over at the Foothill 25.
Cypress needed four plays to reach the end zone, scoring on a 6-yard run by Nathan Schneider for a 14-0 lead.
Peyton Johnson then intercepted a pass from Foothill in its territory.
Morrell used his 6-foot-4 frame to snare a 25-yard pass on the first play of the ensuing drive to get to midfield.
Houston later showed his versatility and scrambled 15 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead with 9:26 left in the first half.
The Knights got on the scoreboard before the end of the first half when Mitchell scored on a 4-yard run with 1:23 left to cut the lead to 21-7.
Foothill forced the Centurions to punt after three plays to start the second half and then marched inside their 10, but was unable to punch the ball into the end zone.
“My kids didn’t quit,” Case said. “We were down 27-7 there in the third and could have easily put our heads down and just gone through the motions, but they didn’t, they did a great job.”
