Cougars succumb to Falcons’ quick strikes
- Updated: August 27, 2016
STEELE CANYON JUNIOR JORDAN ANDERSON RUNS AWAY FROM A TORREY PINES DEFENDER FRIDAY NIGHT. / Photo by Chris Parks
2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
TORREY PINES 23, STEELE CANYON 10
By Bill Dickens
EastCountySports.com
SAN DIEGO (8-27-16) — The Steele Canyon Cougars could not find their offense in Friday’s (Aug. 26) non-league opener, a 23-10 loss against highly regarded Torrey Pines.
Of course, the East County team has a fight song that proclaims “You Can’t Bend Steel.” For the first part of the game that was true.
The Cougars tied the game 3-3 on a 26-yard field goal by JOHN LAUTNER with 2:13 to go in the opening quarter after a Steele Canyon drive stalled at the Torrey Pines’ 9-yard line.
Steele Canyon quarterback THOMAS FISHBURNE shoves away a Falcons defender Friday night. / photo by Chris Parks
“We gave up too many big plays,” said Steele Canyon coach SCOTT LONGERBONE.
The Cougars trailed 10-3, 17-10 and the final 23-10.
Cougars quarterback THOMAS FISHBURNE dazzled the Torrey Pines defense and eventually lofted a third quarter touchdown in the back of the endzone to JACOB JONES to make it 17-10.
But that would be all the Men of Steel could muster on the offensive side.
Luke Duerr had a 77-yard run for a touchdown with 6:31 left in the game to extend the lead to 13.
“You know, I was surprised how physical Torrey Pines is,” noted Longerbone. “But they are a very physical team. It’s one of those games where we schedule to build our team. It’s always a challenge but that’s what matters.”
Steele Canyon’s JACOB JONES attempts a pass reception Friday night. / photo by Chris Parks
Torrey Pines scored in the final minute of the second quarter, then again on their first play from scrimmage in the second half.
On the first play after halftime, Falcons quarterback Miles Hastings found Michael Gladinis for a 66-yard touchdown to make it 17-3.
The Cougars’ defense limited Torrey Pines to no yards in offense on the Falcons’ first two drives of the game.
Tanner Wyandt kicked a 21-yard field goal with 6:27 left before halftime to make it 3-3.
Hastings’ had a 23-yard TD pass to Scotty Gangejust before halftime.
The Falcons beat Steele Canyon, 28-7, in last year’s season opener, as well.
