Foothills pulls away from The Rock in second half

Special to EastCountySports.com

LA MESA – Foothills Christian fended off Rock Academy’s challenge, 38-28, in an 8-man game Friday night to take a spot atop the Ocean League standings to open the season.

FCHS took the lead early, as the teams traded touchdowns, but Rock Academy rallied to tie the score, 22-22.

NATHAN HAMILTON rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns for Foothills Christian, while teammate DANIEL HOFFMAN carried 14 times for 125 yards and two scores.

CONNOR GEORGE caught five passes for 44 yards from Hoffman, who had 91 yards passing.

NICK PUPA had a pair of catches for 32 yards of the Knights, while MATTHEW ARAGON had 49 yards on four carries and a reception of 23 yards.

FCHS’ CHASE URICH led the defense with four sacks for 30 yards worth of losses, while Hamilton had 10 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks and Pupa had six stops and a sack. ISAIAH BARTOLOME had a sack for the Knights.

Pupa’s sack in the fourth quarter set up a long touchdown run by Hamilton for a key score.

The Knights held leads of 6-0 and 14-6 in the first half.

Foothills is 4-2 overall, including 3-0 at Seau Field.