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Sultans stumble, fall to Warriors
- Updated: September 30, 2025
2025 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
FALLBROOK 34, SANTANA 28
EastCountySports.com
FALLBROOK (9/26/25) — For the second straight year, the Santana Sultans made the long ride north to Fallbrook and for the second straight year, came home on the wrong end of a frustrating loss.
Despite piling up 141 more total yards than the Warriors, the Sultans couldn’t overcome a handful of game-changing mistakes and dropped a 34-28 decision Friday night.
Santana (3-2) came out firing, scoring 15 points in the opening quarter and building a 22-7 halftime lead behind junior quarterback Ethan Miller, who turned in one of his most efficient outings of the year.
Miller completed 21-of-29 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball among his top targets.
Senior Caleb Carnes delivered a standout all-around performance, hauling in seven passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for a score.
Carnes forced a fumble and added five tackles on defense, underscoring the two-way effort that nearly lifted Santana to victory.
Junior Kolten Thornton had a team-high nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, while junior Denton Goar added four grabs for 33 yards, a touchdown, and two conversions.
Sophomore back Julian Mayers powered the ground game with 92 rushing yards on 26 carries.
Still, despite all the production, Santana saw its early cushion unravel after halftime.
The Warriors (2-4) scored 27 unanswered points in the second half, fueled not only by their physical run game but also by costly miscues from the Sultans.
Fallbrook’s Mason Mendoza broke through to block a punt in the third quarter, which was scooped and returned for a touchdown by Joell Crespin, cutting into the Santana lead.
Later, a high snap sailed over Miller’s head, and senior Blake Robinson picked it up and rumbled 54 yards to the end zone.
Robinson also caught a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Harrison Jones, who added another scoring strike to Landon Weber. Senior back Grant Hall rushed for 87 yards and a score, helping the Warriors close the night with balance.
Santana’s defense made plays of its own, highlighted by sacks from Jordyn Gillissie and Ryder Davey, and an interception from Gillissie returned 22 yards. But ultimately, Fallbrook’s opportunistic defense and special teams swung the outcome.
“They had a blocked punt for a TD and our center snapped it over our QB’s head for a scoop and score. We should have won,” Santana head coach Tim Estes said.
The setback marked the Sultans’ second straight defeat following a 3-0 start and dropped them to 3-2 on the season. Fallbrook, meanwhile, snapped a four-game skid with the victory.
Next up, Santana will look to regroup when it visits El Cajon Valley next Friday at 7 p.m. The Braves have scored more points in each of their last three contests and figure to present another road challenge.
Despite the bitter result, the Sultans’ offensive balance and defensive grit again showed flashes of a team capable of competing for the Grossmont Valley League title. Cleaning up costly mistakes will likely be the focus as Santana tries to get back in the win column.
