BY VINCENT PEREZ
A chip on the Foothill High Trojans’ shoulders is exactly what they needed Friday night. The Trojans (2-2) used their run game and overpowered the West High Vikings (1-2), winning 33-14. The nonconference game was played Sept. 13 at Mira Monte’s field.
Foothill went down early in the first two minutes 7-0 to West from a 20-plus-yard touchdown run from sophomore Daylon Leach, but the Trojans handled the first half like a contender in a heavyweight bout and stood their ground.
Late in the second quarter, Foothill sophomore running back Tyson Reynolds tied the game at 14 on a 47-yard run, proving Foothill’s perseverance. And they weren’t done yet. The Trojans forced a critical turnover seconds before halftime.
Senior cornerback Ray Soto intercepted the ball from West, with 30 seconds left in the first half. He was tackled at West’s 30. After a penalty, Foothill retained the ball and the score remained tied 14 into halftime. Foothill stalled West’s momentum from then on.
“No one thought we could do it, but we pulled it off,” said Foothill senior right tackle, Isreal Perez, post-game. Perez said at halftime the Trojans knew what they had to do and the only people who knew they could win were in the locker room.
In the second half, the Trojans delivered the win with three more touchdowns.
“This year, we’re the underdog. We’re going to come out with heart. That’s the Trojan life,” said Trojan running back Bryan Diaz. The senior ran for 95 yards and scored a touchdown.
In the Trojans’ first play of the fourth quarter, from West’s 41-yard line, Diaz broke out of the middle of a generous pile up and ran in for the touchdown on a critical fourth and one, to put West down 26-14.
“It’s a good feeling. I believe in my linemen,” said Diaz on his touchdown.
Diaz added that the Trojans aspire to make the playoffs and make a run for the division VI championship. He said the results seen on the field are from the weight room: “I see all my teammates working in that weight room; It shows in the game.”
Trojan sophomore quarterback Kaelan Deloney made runs throughout the game that the Vikings’ defense could not handle. Deloney made 19 runs and scored two touchdowns on 120 yards.
“He stepped up and did his thing; Tonight was his coming out party,” said Foothill High head coach Brandon Deckard.
Deckard knows his team was not given credit against their opponent, West, which had a 26-23 upset win against East (3-1) in week two. But Deckard knows what his players are capable of.
“We believed in each other since day one,” said Deckard.
Deckard’s mindset on the field starts in training, and he gave credit to his players.
“That’s all weight room time, running time and pure effort,” he said post-game.
The Trojans ride up the 99 to Delano High to face the Tigers next Friday. The West High Vikings look to bounce back against the North High Stars (3-1) at home also next week.
Photos by Henry Barrios
