PHOTOS: Trabuco Hills moving on to second round against San Gorgonio Friday

Trabuco Hills players celebrate after Friday’s victory over Pacifica. (Photos courtesy Trabuco Hills football/Robin Gray)

Trabuco Hills football team made the most of its first CIF playoff game since 2014, defeating Pacifica 24-10 Friday night at Trabuco Hils to move on to the second round of the Division 8 playoffs.

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

Trabuco Hills charges out onto the field for Friday's game with Pacifica.

Chris Crow of Trabuco Hills makes a stop against Pacifica.

Quinton Price (left) and Justin Avilez celebrate a big play for Trabuco Hills

Quarterback Jaxon Smaler drops back to pass Friday night for the Mustangs.

Trabuco Hills fans support their team Friday night.

Trabuco Hills quarterback Aidan Armstrong throws a pass in Friday's game.

Drew Barrett of Trabuco Hills takes a hand off from Aidan Armstrong Friday night.

Justin Avilez of Trabuco Hills tries to make a tackle on Diego Serrano of Pacifica.

Alex Huddleston of Trabuco Hills flies in to make a stop in Friday's game.

The Mustangs (7-4) will face San Gorgonio of San Bernardino Friday night on the road at 7:30 p.m.

Jake Naso hauled in a 43-yard pass on the third play of the game to get the Mustangs into Pacifica territory.

Senior kicker Luke Holland made a 34-yard field goal on the opening drive. Mariners quarterback Darius Cowens led a promising Pacifica drive but he fumbled after being sacked by Trabuco Hills senior linebacker Chris Crow. Jacob Cantor recovered for the Mustangs. 

Later in the quarter Cowens broke off a 64-yard run deep into Trabuco territory. However, Cowens was later sacked by Crow and the defense held Pacifica (5-6) to a field goal.

Early in the second quarter the Mustang offensive line got the run game going. The Mustangs ran the ball 11 plays in a row and Mason Fishel ran it in from seven yards out to give the Mustangs a 10-3 lead at halftime.

Mariners’ running back Isaiah Blevins made his presence felt on the first play of the second half, running 58 yards for a TD to tie the score 10-10. 

Later in the third quarter, Drew Barrett broke free for a 67-yard run to the 8-yard line. From there, Fishel ran it in again to give Trabuco Hills a 17-10 lead.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Mustangs capitalized on a deep passing route when quarterback Jaxon Smaler hit receiver Alex Huddleston for a 56-yard touchdown pass to give Trabuco Hills a 24-10 Trabuco Hills lead.

The staunch Mustang defense continued to make things difficult for the Mariners offense with relentless gang tackling and key sacks of the quarterback.

“It’s great for the school,” Trabuco Hills Coach Mark Nolan said. “Great things happening here at Trabuco.”

–Courtesy Trabuco Hills football