Esperanza’s senior running back Aaron Forsgren takes off for a long gain after eluding a couple of Westminster defenders during Friday night’s game at Boswell Field. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
By ALEX SUAREZ
For OC Sports Zone
Esperanza’s High School football team achieved its second consecutive victory defeating Westminster 27-14 in a non-league game Friday night at Westminster.
The Aztecs made key adjustments after halftime to record the win after trailing by seven.
“You have to be able to adjust, you have to be flexible,” said Esperanza Coach Jason Presley. “The kids did a great job on the scouting report, understanding and listening. They were able to execute and adjust well.”
In the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Travis Frazier entered the game for Esperanza and immediately connected with junior wide receiver Coen Ali for a 15-yard touchdown pass.
“Having the opportunity to lead my team is really great to step up and do the things that I needed to do,” said Frazier. “They all gave me the support I needed to help us go out and get the win tonight.”
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
The Westminster Lions take the field on Friday night.
The Esperanza Aztecs rush into the field prior to kickoff Friday night at Boswell Field.
Westminster fans stretch their hands out to catch the twister balloons on Friday night.
Esperanza players led by safety (5) Jude Nelson take the field for a defensive series late in the second quarter.
Westminster cheerleaders perform during the halftime show Friday night at Boswell Field.
Esperanza's Jude Nelson returns a kickoff during the cusp of halftime on Friday night.
Westminster sophomore receiver Jason Guzmán extends his reception for a gain against Esperanza on Friday night.
Westminster quarterback Benny Burns unleashes a throw during the second quarter.
Esperanza senior running back Aaron Forsgren runs for a gain as Westminster's Thong Danh prepares to make a play.
Westminster head coach Steven Anderson talks to his player during a timeout on Friday night.
Head coach Steven Anderson goes over plays with Westminster quarterback Benny Burns during the second quarter.
Esperanza quarterback Noah Puertas looks over to the sideline for the upcoming play.
Westminster quarterback Benny Burns tries to break a tackle after a quarterback draw during the second quarter of Friday night's contest against Esperanza.
Westminster Head Coach Steven Anderson reacts after a play during the first half of Friday night's contest against Estancia.
Esperanza's running back Aaron Forsgren tries to find the corner as Westminster's Noah Pedraza pursues.
Westminster' quarterback Benny Burns drops back to pass during the first quarter against Esperanza.
Westminster running back Jason Mejía is tackled just short of the goal line during the opening stanza on Friday night.
Westminster receiver makes a completion during the second half. Esperanza's Seth Coons made the tackle for the Aztecs.
Westminster receiver makes a completion during the second half. Esperanza's Seth Coons made the tackle for the Aztecs.
Esperanza captains Brian Semaan, Quentin Mack, Spencer Clark, and Aiden Alvarez get ready for the coin toss.
Westminster captains Ezekiel Cedillo, Benny Burns, Kiso Logoleo III and Jason Ngo get ready for the coin toss.
Esperanza's Coen Ali poses after making an interception return that set up the Aztec's go-ahead score in the third quarter.
Westminster's Brad Nguyen and other Lions players go through pregame drills on Friday evening.
Esperanza players arrive to Boswell Field on Friday.
Westminster's Jason Mejía goes through special teams drills prior to the start of Friday's contest against Esperanza.
Esperanza's backup quarterback Travis Frazier goes through pregame drills with his teammates. Frazier had a standout second half.
Westminster running back Ezekiel Cedillo stretches for a gain during the second quarter of Friday's contest against Esperanza.
Esperanza's wide receiver Edward Khutsishvili breaks free during the third quarter. He would hit the end zone in the play.
Frazier finished the night completing all six of his passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Edward Khutsishvili was the leading receiver for the Aztecs with 91 yards on five catches.
An 86-yard touchdown run from senior running back Aaron Forsgren added on to the Aztecs lead late in the fourth quarter. Forsgren finished the game with 135 rushing yards and a touchdown. Esperanza (3-2) heads into their bye week looking to get healthy before starting league play.
“We’re limping into a bye week, then the gauntlet begins,” said Presley. “All these guys have traditions of success. We’re doing everything that we can to move these boys into the right place.”
Senior quarterback Benny Burns opened the scoring for Westminster with a 1-yard quarterback sneak late in the second quarter. Burns finished the night with 135 passing yards, a passing TD, 23 rushing yards and a touchdown. Junior tight end Ethan Cedillo caught a 25-yard touchdown pass for the Lions to tie the game at 14 in the fourth quarter.
Westminster coach Steven Anderson expressed pride in how the team battled despite the outcome.
“We had a lot of guys step up tonight and we battled,” Anderson said. “Our execution was there but to only put up 14. We need to limit penalties and turnovers that can kill our momentum and take us out of position.”
Westminster (3-2) will take on Cerritos High School next Friday at home in a non-league matchup.
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