Eastlake Titans unveil class act in 14-13 loss

Eastlake High School football coach Lee Price called last Friday’s season opener against visiting La Serna “a very special day.”

No, the host Titans did not score an upset win over the Los Angeles County powerhouse, though they did make it exciting with a failed two-point conversion in the game’s dying minutes to fall, 14-13, in the non-league encounter.

No, none of the Eastlake players broke any substantial school records in the game, though senior running back Traylon Reed did rush 21 times for 159 yards and score one touchdown.

The big story in the game took place during pre-game introductions when senior Dean Klaser led the Titans onto the field through the team’s inflatable tunnel. Klaser, a first-team all-league selection last season for Metro-Mesa League champion Eastlake, is sitting out this year while undergoing radiation treatment for cancer.

Klaser was diagnosed with the disease shortly after last football season ended. He was unable to play baseball last spring, though the Titan baseball team voted him its player of the year.

The EHS football team formally dedicated last Friday’s season opener in his honor.

“It’s great to know I have teammates who care about me and support me knowing what I’ve been going through,” Klaser said. “We’re a family.”

Price had nothing but encouraging words to say about Klaser, who looks to be back in uniform next season if a one-year eligibility waiver is approved.

“He’s a very strong individual, very tough kid, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to honor him,” Price said.

Klaser said he will give back to his teammates for their support by attending as many games as possible if, in his words, “I feel well enough.”

He wore a big smile last Friday.

Several EHS football coaches shaved their heads in moral support of Klaser prior to last Friday’s game, Price included. Klaser recently had a haircut; he was bald during the baseball season.

“It grows back and it falls out,” he said, pausing his words.

The Titans, who entered the game ranked seventh among San Diego Section teams, played inspired football down the stretch by making up a 14-0 deficit on a six-yard scoring catch by Chris Olave in the fourth quarter and a 27-yard touchdown run by Reed, also in the final quarter.

The hosts went for the win rather than the tie, but Reed was stopped short of the end zone on a sideline run. The hosts also missed recovering an onside kick.

The Titans finished the night with 200 rushing yards but only 46 passing yards. Reed led the team offensively with 187 all-purpose yards.

Four EHS players finished with double-digit tackles. Micah Mendillo led the Titans defense with 15 tackles while Nate Sweat had 14 tackles, Greg Raby had 11 tackles and Buzz Akerlund had 10 tackles.

Eastlake had three sacks — two by Declan Fernandez and one by Mendillo. Josh Olave had one interception while Joshua Pultorak recovered a fumble.

Dean Smith averaged 44 yards on six punts, including one that rolled 57 yards. He also landed two punts inside the opposing 20-yard line.

The Titans will regroup with a road game at El Toro on Friday, Sept. 4, in search of their first win of the season.
Peter Kluch contributed to this story

Mustangs out-duel Norsemen 14-7

The Otay Ranch Mustangs defeated the visiting Valhalla Norsemen, 14-7, last Friday to kick off 2015 regular season play on a winning note.

“It was a hard fought game by both teams,” Otay Ranch head coach Lance Christensen offered.

Adrian Rodriguez scored on a 30-yard run to put the Mustangs up 7-0 in the first quarter and later sealed the win with an interception in the end zone.

Otay Ranch quarterback Oscar Limon threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Ennovy Halton late in the non-league contest.

Sam Stephens led the hosts on the ground with 22 carries for 98 yards while Limon completed eight of 18 passing attempts for 131 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The Mustangs (1-0) next play at Grossmont (1-0) on Friday, Sept. 4. The Foothillers kicked off the season last Friday with a rousing 34-15 come-back win over visiting Morse.

Mt. Carmel 14, Olympian 13
All the scoring in last Friday’s non-league game took place in the first half. Each team scored two touchdowns, with the difference in the outcome being a missed extra-point conversion on the part of the host Eagles.

The visiting Sundevils never trailed in the game. Lucas Johnson threw a 24-yard scoring pass to T.J. Sullivan to open scoring in the first quarter for Mt. Carmel. The hosts matched that with a four-run scoring run by Noah Lacsina and a successful point-after-touchdown kick.

The score stood 7-all at the end of the first quarter.

The Sundevils went ahead 14-7 when Johnson scored on a 30-yard run in the second quarter. His counterpart, Olympian quarterback Garry Cannon, matched that with a 12-yard scoring run to bring the score to 14-13.

However, the extra-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the Eagles with a one-point deficit. Neither team could score the rest of the way.

Johnson finished the game with 228 passing yards and 123 rushing yards to denote a highlight individual performance. Sullivan had four catches for 103 yards.

Cannon led Olympian with 12 carries for 114 yards while Lacsina had nine carries for 84 yards. Cannon completed nine of 15 passing attempts for 60 yards.

The Eagles (0-1) next play at Sweetwater (0-1) on Friday, Sept. 4, as both teams search for their first win of the season.