RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA — Tesoro bounced back from a devastating loss last week to beat Yorba Linda 12-7 Friday in a nonleague game at Tesoro High.
The Titans (2-1) squandered a 14-point in the fourth quarter last week against Newport Harbor for their first loss of the season. Instead of dwelling on the loss, Tesoro was determined to get its season back on track.
Tesoro’s Todd Nelson slips by a Yorba Linda defender after receiving a pass during the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a nonleague football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro’s Lance Guerrero takes a hit after gaining yards during a game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Need game action of both teams, plus scene photos. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Georgie Villegas, senior and ASB member, checks some of the balloons for Tesoro fans before the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Chase Jones gains yards in the first half of the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Need game action of both teams, plus scene photos. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro’s Cash O’Byrne releases a pass during the game between Yorba Linda vs.Tesoro in a nonleague football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Dylan Gardner is hit from behind after gaining yards during the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Tyson Woods attempts to cut up field as Tesoro’s defense pursues the running back during a game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a nonleague football game at Tesoro High School. Need game action of both teams, plus scene photos. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Dylan Gardner is hit by Tesoro’s Carson Cervantes during a game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Holden Nagin passes in the first quarter of the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a nonleague football game at Tesoro High School. Need game action of both teams, plus scene photos. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Chase Jones, left, takes the hand off from Holden Nagin, right, in the first quarter of their game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. photos. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Dylan Gardner, right, is taken down by the Tesoro defense during the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda’s Dylan Gardner stretches for more yardage after a completion during the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Noah Washington has his hair sprayed prior to the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Roni Lopez, with camera, and Cinema Thomas, right, take selfies before the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Katie Nolan stirs up the Tesoro faithful while carrying a speaker on her back before the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High Color Guard freshman, Lalea Munoz, practices before the halftime show during a game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yorba Linda cheerleaders practice their stunts before the game between Yorba Linda vs. Tesoro in a non-league football game at Tesoro High School. Photographed on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Flores, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
“As hard as it was losing last week, it is what it is,” Tesoro coach Matt Poston said. “We were a few plays short and that’s what I just told the kids right now. Last week we didn’t make the plays we needed to win the game and tonight we did.”
“Hopefully we can springboard off that and keep going forward.”
Tesoro’s defense seemed to have a bend but not break approach Friday. The Titans stopped Yorba Linda on eight of 11 third down attempts and only twice did it allow Yorba Linda (1-2) into the red zone.
Dalton Hurd and Roman Mercado had multiple tackles for a loss and Alex Zeppos had a sack.
“Seven points against that program is outstanding,” Poston said of his defense. “They are physical and I feel we matched their physicality.”
Quarterback Cash O’Byrne had his best game of the season. The junior completed 22 of 28 passes for 211 yards with a touchdown. He also had a 6-yard run to convert a crucial third down on a scoring drive in the fourth quarter.
“It felt amazing. I thought everything was there and I executed well and the receivers made some plays,” O’Byrne said. “They (Yorba Linda) were favored to win and it ticked me off so I really wanted to come out and win.”
Tesoro running back Travis Wood, one of the leading rushers in the county, was held to just 59 yards on 20 attempts due to Yorba Linda anchoring its defense to stop the run.
“Yorba Linda did some things to key on the run which we understand and Cash made the plays he needed to make to loosen the defense up a bit,” Poston said.
Campbell Schamel led Tesoro in receiving with 88 yards on six receptions.
Tesoro scored first on a 19-yard touchdown pass from O’Byrne to Todd Nelson to give the Titans a 6-0 lead.
Yorba Linda took the lead just before the half on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Holden Nagin to Jake Winners to make the score 7-6.
Nagin had a season-low 110 yards passing. Dylan Gardner caught 10 passes for 74 yards to lead Yorba Linda.
Tesoro kicker Lance Guererro made two field goals from 34 and 26 yards out to give Tesoro the lead in the second half. He also had 52 yards receiving on seven receptions.
“He stepped up in the end and we obviously needed every one of those points in the end,” Poston said of Guerrero. “He’s a great athlete on top of being a good kicker.”
Tesoro will host La Serna of Whittier next Friday, Sep. 8. The Titans are 2-2 all-time against La Serna.
