Foothill Holds Off Troy for First Victory of Season

TUSTIN — It wasn’t secured until the last play of the game, but Foothill earned its first victory of season by beating Troy, 31-28, Friday night at Tustin High.

The Knights (1-3) took a 31-21 lead with 8 minutes 48 seconds left on a fourth-and-11 play which resulted in a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Robbie Koster to Matt Hall.

Troy (1-3) answered with a six-play drive culminated by a 10-yard run by Eddie Ayala to put the Warriors within three points with 6:07 left.

Foothill moved the ball down the field and tried to run out the clock, but Koster was sacked for a 15-yard loss to give Troy the ball at its 38 with 22 seconds left.

Quarterback Stephen Muther threw four incomplete passes to end the game.

“Our kids really needed a win for their confidence,” Foothill Coach Tom Meiss said. “We can build on this.”

Troy led briefly in the second quarter, 14-9, before running back Dana Pino-Dempsey took a handoff from Koster, rolled to his right and threw the ball to wide receiver Chad Concolino for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Koster connected with Jonathan Whiddon for the two-point conversion and a 17-14 halftime lead.

Concolino, the county’s second-leading receiver coming into the game, finished with seven receptions for 104 yards.

Troy was led by running back Adrian Vargas, who had 114 yards in 16 carries and had a 14-yard touchdown.