PHOTOS: Troy stops late Segerstrom threat for close non-league road victory

Troy’s Ethan Mundt breaks free in the midfield for a gain Friday night. Segerstrom’s Roman Saucedo and Joshua Garcia defend. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone).

Troy High School’s football team had a number of players step up Friday night in a 21-13 non-league victory over Segerstrom.

But as in past games, the visiting Warriors (4-1) looked for senior running back Ethan Mundt to lead the way. Mundt had three touchdown runs and on defense, recorded a key interception late in the game to thwart a potential-game tying drive by Segerstrom (3-2).

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Mundt, who rushed for more than 300 yards and scored six touchdowns (both school records) last week vs. Foothill, rushed for 172 yards on 30 carries to lead the way.

“Sometimes a victory is a victory,” said Troy Coach Michael Echaves. “This was a victory against a very good football team, their strengths presents some challenges for us. They’re big, they’re physical. They did some good things, there was some tough sledding and offensively they did some great things against us that put us in a bind and we had to make some adjustments. I’m proud of our staff for coming through on this game.”

In the end, Mundt was the difference with touchdown runs of 2 and 1 yards in the first half and a 1-yard TD early in the fourth quarter that put Troy ahead 21-13.

“He’s a special player, bottom line,” Echaves said. “He’s one of the best players in Orange County, we’re blessed to have him.”

Segerstrom got close on a 10-yard TD run by Ayden Morales in the third quarter but the Jaguars still trailed 14-13 after a missed point after kick.

Segerstrom got the ball back with 4:49 left in the game near midfield following an interception and advanced the ball to the Warriors 30 yard line. But on a second down play, Mundt intercepted a pass and returned it the Segerstrom 28. Troy advanced the ball to the Jaguars 8-yard line before going into the victory formation.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Mundt said. “Everyone was in the box and I had to run through contact the whole time. The O-line played physical.”

The interception was memorable, he added.

“I knew the pass was coming,” he said. “I sat on it, the guy threw it right at me and I was in the right spot and I just ran the ball.”

Troy quarterback Andrew Acuna was also solid, passing for 84 yards with two interceptions. Running back David Fujimoto, who rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries, had some big pick-ups to help get the Warriors in scoring position.

After falling behind 14-0, Segerstrom got on the scoreboard when quarterback Noah Martinez scampered in for a 4-yard TD.

Morales, the top Jaguars offensive threat all season, led Segerstrom with 105 yards on 13 carries while Louis Garcia, the quarterback most of the game, rushed for 51 yards on nine carries.

“Our guys got after it tonight, we made some costly mistakes throughout the night that kind of put us in some tough situations,” said Segerstrom Coach Joseph Tagaloa. “Against a well coached Troy team, we’re not going to be able to overcome those mistakes but hats off to them, they played hard. But I’m proud of our boys, our boys came out and fought tooth and nail all four quarters like we ask of them.

“We have nothing to be ashamed of, we’re just going to fix our mistakes and get ready for league (after a bye next week). We will learn from it, we will be ready to go come league time.”

Tagaloa said Segerstrom has been using two quarterbacks.

“Right now, they are both too good to sit,” he said. “Noah Martinez got in on a quarterback run, an option that he read and he took it in. Both guys played well. We made a couple mistakes, but we will learn from it and get better.”

Troy also has a bye next week and opens Iota League play Friday, Oct. 3 at home vs. Sonora. Segerstrom plays at St. Margaret’s Friday, Oct. 3 in the Kappa League opener.

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