MISSION VIEJO — Dual-threat quarterback Tommy Acosta got Capistrano Valley’s football team all the points it needed in the first half and linebacker Jackson Sievers led a defensive surge in the second half in the Cougars’ 38-14 nonleague victory over Huntington Beach on Friday at Capistrano Valley High School.

Acosta completed 15 of 25 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown to help the Cougars (3-0) stay undefeated.

All three touchdown passes came in the first half.

Sievers had three of the Cougars’ seven sacks, with all but two coming in the second half.

Capistrano Valley’s Jackson Sievers had three sacks, recovered a fumbled punt return and had a TD catch in a 38-14 victory over Huntington Beach on Friday, Sept. 1. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

The senior also recovered a muffed punt return and had a 4-yard touchdown catch.

“We came in with lot of film study, a lot of film study every single day,” Sievers said. “So, we came in knowing what plays they were going to do before the ball is even snapped. We already stopped the play before it even started.”

Taking a sizeable early lead allowed the defense to be more aggressive, Capistrano Valley coach Sean Curtis said.

“Getting up early was huge because that allowed us to get after the quarterback,” Curtis said. “We knew we were going to have a challenge getting to him if it was a tight game and we couldn’t bring that pressure but getting up early helped us dial it up.

Acosta’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Kraden Hunter gave the Cougars an early 7-0 lead.

The touchdown was set up by Acosta’s 36-yard pass to Hunter on the previous play.

Acosta also connected with Hudson Campbell for a 35-yard touchdown in the first quarter and then tossed the 4-yard scoring pass to Sievers to put the Cougars ahead 24-7.

The Oilers first-half touchdown came on a 36-yard pass from Brady Edmunds to Hunter Gray,

The touchdown was set up by Jaxson Brown’s interception, which gave the Oilers (1-2) possession on the Cougars 39.

When Acosta ran, it was usually on a designed play, but there were also situations where the junior took off running when he couldn’t find an open receiver.

“Specifically for Huntington Beach, we were preparing for them to bring a lot of blitzes, so we knew it was going to be a lot of man coverage,” Acosta said. “So, if my reads weren’t open, that’s when I was going to take off because they’re not keying on me, they’re keying on the receivers, so that’s when I decided to run.”

Coming into the contest, the Cougars and Oilers were ranked No. 23 and 25 in the county respectively.

“I think it’s supposed to be a pretty even matchup, so I’m really proud of the team for playing a really clean game,” Curtis said. “Our best game yet. I think we’re just a little bit more of a complete team.”

Related Articles