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Tustin running back Eimesse Essis eludes El Toro linebacker Nacho González for a long gain during the first quarter of Friday Night’s Week Zero matchup played in Northrup Field. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
On a night when Tustin High inducted former Tillers running back DeShaun Foster to its football Hall of Fame, Tustin running back Eimesse Essis delighted the home crowd by showcasing some of his own rushing skills.
Essis carried the ball 19 times for 207 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Tillers to a dominating 35-6 non-league victory over El Toro. Essis had more 100 yards rushing in the first quarter and 199 yards by halftime. He only carried twice in the second half.
“It felt great to run the ball tonight and we handled adversity,” said Essis, a senior. “We have to keep motoring and continue to improve each game.”
The Tillers marched 66 yards in seven plays on their opening possession to take a 7-0 lead. Essis capped the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run. Following an interception by Tustin defensive back Khail Terry, Essis raced in for his second TD on a 5-yard run to give the Tillers a 14-0 lead at the 3:32 mark of the opening quarter.
The Tustin defense forced a second turnover in the first quarter, an interception by linebacker Timothy Ioane. However, Ioane was injured on the play and did not return.
“We work very hard as a unit and our team is very physical,” said Ioane, following the game as he donned crutches and has his right knee wrapped. Ioane said he was unsure of the extent of his injury and will be further examined over the weekend.
Late in the second quarter, Essis scored his third TD of the game, culminating a 10-play, 85-yard scoring drive, upping the Tillers lead to 22-0.
In the third quarter, Jeremiah Williams added a touchdown run and Zaire Jacobs completed a short pass to Tre Cushionberry, who zigged and zagged en route to a 71-yard touchdown that extended the Tillers lead to 35-0. The Chargers added a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Jack McKelvy to Matthew Arroyo for El Toro’s only score.
“Eimesse is phenomenal, and he runs like a mad man,” said Tustin Coach Anthony Lopez. “Overall, it was a good effort and a great start to the season.”
El Toro’s first-year coach Peter Lofthouse remained upbeat, despite the setback.
“We have a lot of guys that are injured, and we hope to have them back next week, but that’s the nature of football,” said Lofthouse. “We will work with our guys to take better angles and pursue the run better. I thought we played a lot better in the second half and we do take positives from this game. But give credit to number two (Eimesse Essis). Gosh, he’s good and he’s legit and special.”
The Tustin defense, led by Taven Epps and Terry, dominated forcing two turnovers and held the Chargers to one first down in the first half.
Note: Tustin senior quarterback, Michael Tollefson, a transfer from JSerra and an Arizona State University commit, did not dress for Friday’s game.
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—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
