After a memorable season, Esperanza has a rough ending in regional bowl game

Esperanza coach Wes Choate and his players applaud as Reseda receives the championship trophy Saturday night. Esperanza received the runner-up trophy. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

A memorable season for Esperanza High’s football team had a rough ending.

The Aztecs, after capturing the CIF Division 13 title last week, were victimized by four turnovers and lost to Reseda 28-0 in the 5A Southern Regional Bowl Game Saturday night at Yorba Linda High.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Esperanza quarterback Nate Nadeau warms up before Saturday's game.

Esperanza players honor the alma mater and acknowledge the fans after Saturday's game.

Players from Reseda applaud as Esperanza receives the runner-up trophy.

Reseda moves on to the state final next Saturday.

“They’re a really good team, an LA City Division 1 team,” said Esperanza Coach Wes Choate. “We’re a Division 13 team. They’ve got some athletes. We played our heart out, but they’re just really good. They’re coached really well and I hope they win the whole thing.

“If we’re going to get beat, I like to get beat by a state champion. Our kids did everything we could, we made some mistakes and in championship games, you can’t make mistakes and that’s what kind of bit us tonight.”

Reseda recorded three interceptions, including one returned 70 yards by Mario Martinez for a touchdown on Esperanza’s first drive of the second half. That put Reseda up 21-0 and the Regents (12-3) added another score on a 14-yard TD run by quarterback Trent Butler early in the fourth quarter to break it open.

Butler connected with Kameran Charles on a 32-yard TD pass early in the second quarter to put Reseda ahead 7-0. Reseda extended its lead to 14-0 when Martinez hauled in a 31-yard TD pass with 2.3 seconds left in the first half. Martinez made a remarkable play to haul in the catch in the far corner of the end zone.

Reseda was also stellar on defense, limiting Esperanza’s star running back Walter Gooding to 51 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Nate Nadeau passed for 84 yards but was intercepted twice.

“They’re defensive front is just tough as heck,” Choate said. “Our offensive line worked their butts off but there is one guy over six foot, there is one guy over 220 pounds on our offensive line. What they were able to do all year long has been incredible but they came against guys were tough and big and strong and well coached and we just didn’t have the best of it tonight.”

“We had turnovers and other things such as routes that weren’t as crisp as usual and that hurt us a little bit,” Choate said.

Kaden Jones rushed for 48 yards on 10 carries and Butler passed for 84 yards and two touchdown.

But Choate said he was proud of the Aztecs CIF title run.

“It’s been so amazing, everybody has been so supportive,” Choate said. “When I look at my seniors’ eyes after getting so much negativity the last two years, to be able to feel proud of themselves and see them smile…..that’s how you want to send them out.”

–Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com