PHOTOS: Segerstrom races past Esperanza for second straight league victory

Noah Tagaloa of Segerstrom intercepts a pass for a pick six Thursday night against Esperanza. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman).

Segerstrom High School’s football team achieved its second consecutive Kappa League victory, defeating Esperanza 49-29 Thursday night at Yorba Linda High School. 

It was an offensive explosion by both teams in the first half. Both teams combined for six touchdowns to close out the first half. 

The Jaguars (5-2, 2-0)  had a well balanced attack with Noah Tagaloa finishing the game as the leading rusher with 142 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, one reception for a 13-yard touchdown and a 95-yard pick six. Tagaloa had three of those touchdowns in the second quarter.

“We got the momentum from last week and ran with it,” said Noah Tagloa. 

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

Segerstrom takes the field for Thursday's game.

Esperanza players charge out onto the field.

Segerstrom's Ayden Morales intercepts a pass intended for Esperanza's Noah Puertas.

Esperanza QB Travis Frazier gains yards as Noah Tagaloa of Segerstrom defends.

Ayden Morales (left) and Noah Tagaloa of Segerstrom enjoy the game.

Esperanza's Davian Franco makes a catch as Roman Saucedo of Esperanza defends.

Segerstrom's Noah Tagaloa carries the ball as Esperanza's Tyson Longwith defends.

Esperanza band members perform.

Segerstrom's Diego Hernandez kicks the PAT as Seth Coons and Logan Aspgren of Esperanza try to block it.

Andrew Diaz of Segerstrom escapes a tackle.

Esperanza's Coen Ali carries the ball as Ayden Morales of Segerstrom defends.

Esperanza's band and color guard performs at halftime.

Segerstrom's Alfredo Rivas sacks Esperanza QB Travis Frazier.

Segerstrom's Noah Tagaloa hauls in a two-point conversion.

Segerstrom's Jesse Lopez drops back to pass as Aiden Shahrestani of Esperanza applies pressure.

Noah Tagaloa scores a TD for Segerstrom.

Nick Cervantes of Segerstrom hauls in a TD catch as Coen Ali of Esperanza defends.

Segerstrom's Jesse Lopez shakes hands with Esperanza players.

“He’s (Tagaloa)  a competitor, he’s a gamer, he’s a student of the game who is constantly watching film,” said Segerstrom Coach Joseph Tagaloa. “He just wants to see us be successful, it was a great effort by him today, I’m really proud of him.”

The defensive line for the Jaguars was setting the tone up front as Segerstrom was able to limit any big runs by Esperanza on Thursday.

“This is the first game all year where we had all our lineman here,” said Coach Tagaloa. “This was the first game we had all our defensive linemen. It really helps, guys are able to pin their ears back and just go get the ball.”

Segerstrom quarterback Jesse Lopez led the Jaguars with 228 passing yards and one touchdown. 

“We just had a great team effort,” said Cristian Ramos. “We have to keep that same momentum that we had from this game today and carry that going forward into next week”.

Davian Franco was the leading receiver for Esperanza (4-3, 1-1) finishing the game with three receptions, 104 receiving yards, one touchdown and one kickoff return touchdown. 

Esperanza quarterback Travis Frazier finished throwing for 258 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. 

“Every week matters, you have to have amnesia in the league. It’s still wide open,” said Esperanza Coach Jason Presley. “We didn’t come out like we wanted to and I think when we started getting behind adversity hit us and we never got back.”  

Segerstrom will be on the road again next Friday to take on Westminster (2-4, 0-1) at 7. 

Esperanza will host St. Margaret’s (2-4, 0-1)  next Friday at Yorba Linda High School at 7.