Sultans fall in quick-strike thriller to Trojans

By ECS Staff
Updated: September 12, 2015

By Adam Paul

© East County Sports.com

SANTEE (9-12-15) — In a contest reminiscent of an old school Holiday Bowl game the Santana Sultans took on the Trojans of Castle Park in Santee Friday (Sept 11) and came out on the short end of the stick in a 41-38 shootout.

Both teams in the first quarter went back and forth defensively and it was the Sultans that would finally break through and score first on a 27-yard field goal by TIMMY TISCHER with under a minute remaining. The Sultans led 3-0 after the first quarter.

player 63 football santana vs. Castle park

Photo by TRyan Photography

The second quarter saw a quick 61-yard touchdown strike from ANGELO TRUJILLO to NICK WILLIAMS within the first 10 seconds of the quarter. The Sultans would fight back to take a 10-7 lead on a FRANKIE GUTIERREZ 1-yard run with 5:21 remaining in the half. The Trojans however would take the lead into the locker room by a score of 14-10 thanks to a 6-yard scramble by Angelo Trujillo.

The second half was more of the same offensively as both teams would go on to put points on the board in the third with Castle Park scoring twice and Santana scoring as well. After three quarters of play the Trojans led the Sultans 27-17.

Santana scores a touchdown against Castle Park on Friday night. / Photo by TRyan Photography

Everyone in the stands who purchased a ticket got their money’s worth as it was a fireworks show offensively for both teams. Going back to the Holiday Bowl analogy, both the Trojans and Sultans went back and forth in the final quarter and like the Holiday Bowl back in the day, this contest wouldn’t be decided until the final minutes.

The Sultans would score the first two touchdowns in the fourth to actually take their first lead since the first quarter by a score of 31-27. BOBBY WALLACE for the Sultans would score both times thanks to a 25-yard reception and also a 5-yard run. On the night he would rush for 45 yards on 18 carries.

Photo by TRyan Photography

However the Trojans would answer to retake the lead on a 55-yard reception by Nick Williams who on the night had 3 receptions for 122 yards and the two scores. The touchdown gave the Trojans the narrow 34-31 lead with 5:41 remaining in the contest.

The Sultans went back to work as they would march down the field and score with about 3:30 remaining on an ADAM CHILDRESS 25-yard reception to give Santana the 38-34 lead. On the evening Childress would finish with 9 receptions and 161 receiving yards and 2 scores.

So the Sultans, clinging to the slim four point lead, had the momentum and looked to come away with the victory. However the Trojans had other ideas and as they had all night long, sliced their way through the Sultans defense. The Trojans would have the last say in the matter as they marched down the field on 5 plays and 67 yards for what would end up being the game winning score.

The Sultans just couldn’t get their run game going as they only rushed for 85-yards as a team on the night. The passing game was no problem as Gutierrez finished the evening 25-43 for 401 yards and the 3 touchdowns.

However they just didn’t have an answer for the speed of Luq Barcoo, the talented tail back and receiver of the Trojans who wouldn’t have a huge rushing night but finished with 210 yards receiving on 10 catches.

The Trojans were also led by their quarterback Angelo Trujillo who on the night threw for 358 yards on 14-of-20.