Tustin running back Eimesse Essis escapes El Toro linebacker Nacho González for a long lead in the first quarter of Friday night’s Week Zero game at Northrup Field. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, for OC Sports Zone).
On the night Tustin High inducted former Tillers running back DeShaun Foster into the Football Hall of Fame, Tustin running back Eimesse Essis wowed the home crowd by showing off some of his own skills in the running game.
Essis carried the ball 19 times for 207 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Tillers to a convincing 35-6 non-league victory over El Toro. Essis rushed for more than 100 yards in the first quarter and 199 yards by halftime. He carried the ball just twice in the second half.
“It was a great feeling to run the ball tonight and we overcame adversity,” said Essis, a senior. “We have to keep pushing and improving with each game.”
To view the slideshow, click on the first photo:
Tustin running back Eimesse Essis makes a long run during the first quarter of Friday night’s Week Zero game against El Toro at Northrup Field.
Captains of both teams shake hands during the coin toss of the Week Zero game between Tustin and El Toro on Friday night at Northrup Field.
Tustin captains Takanori Harris (0), Eimesse Essis (2), Jayden Perez (4) and Timothy Ioane (5) prepare for the coin toss of Friday night’s game against El Toro at Northrup Field.
El Toro captains Will Franco (55), Makya Chee (2), Nacho Gonzales (8) and Jack McKelvy (10) prepare for the coin toss of Friday night’s game against Tustin at Northrup Field.
El Toro running back Makya Chee scores yards for the Chargers in the first half of Friday night’s game against Tustin at Northrup Field.
El Toro wide receiver Luke Doyle throws a pass for the Chargers during the first half of Friday night’s game against Tustin at Northrup Field.
Peter Lofthouse, El Toro’s new head coach, watches on the first night of Friday’s game against Tustin.
El Toro wide receiver Arlo De La Best catches the ball for the Chargers as Tustin’s Jayden Pérez makes the tackle during the first half of Friday night’s game against Tustin at Northrup Field.
Members of the El Toro student group cheer on the Chargers during the first half of Friday night’s game at Northrup Field.
El Toro junior receiver Devon Costic returns a kickoff during the opening stanza of Friday night’s game at Northrup Field.
El Toro’s veteran quarterback Jack McKelvy gets a lead in the first half of Friday night’s game against Tustin.
Tustin senior running back Eimesse Essis extends the Tillers’ lead in the first quarter of Friday night’s game against El Toro.
Tustin running back Aaron Tlazola runs a gain for the Tillers in the first quarter of Friday night’s game against El Toro.
Tustin head coach Anthony López calls a play during the first half of Friday night’s game against El Toro.
El Toro quarterback Jack McKelvy drops back to pass as he is pressured by the Tustin defense.
Tustin senior running back Eimesse Essis scores yards for the Tillers in the first quarter of Friday night’s game against El Toro.
Tustin senior Timothy Ioane leads the way for his teammates as the Tillers storm the field during Friday night’s game against El Toro.
Members of the Tustin Marching Band prepare for their performance before Friday night’s contest against El Toro.
El Toro head coach Peter Lofthouse directs his players before the Chargers warm up.
El Toro cheerleaders watch during the first half of Friday night’s game against Tustin.
Tustin senior running back Eimesse Essis celebrates as he scores his third touchdown of the first half during Friday night’s game against El Toro.
Tustin senior running back Eimesse Essis poses during halftime of Friday night’s game against El Toro.
Tustin junior quarterback Zaire Jacobs prepares to snap the ball in the first quarter of Friday night’s game against El Toro.
The Tillers marched 66 yards in seven plays on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead. Essis capped the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run. After an interception by Tustin defensive back Khail Terry, Essis ran for his second touchdown on a 5-yard run to give the Tillers a 14-0 lead at the 3:32 mark of the first quarter.
Tustin’s defense forced a second turnover in the first quarter on an interception by linebacker Timothy Ioane. However, Ioane was injured on the play and did not return.
“We work very hard as a unit and our team is very physical,” Ioane said after the game, while donning crutches and bandaging his right knee. Ioane said he was unsure of the extent of his injury and would undergo further assessments over the weekend.
Late in the second quarter, Essis scored his third touchdown of the game, capping a 10-play, 85-yard touchdown drive that increased the Tillers’ lead to 22-0.
In the third quarter, Jeremiah Williams scored on a touchdown run and Zaire Jacobs completed a short pass to Tre Cushionberry, who zigzagged for a 71-yard touchdown to extend the Tillers’ lead to 35-0. The Chargers scored in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Jack McKelvy to Matthew Arroyo, who scored the only point for the El Toros.
“Eimesse is phenomenal and runs like a madman,” said Tustin coach Anthony Lopez. “Overall, it was a good performance and a great start to the season.”
Peter Lofthouse, the new coach of El Toros, remained optimistic despite the setback.
“A lot of our guys are injured and we hope to have them back next week but that’s football,” Lofthouse said. “We’ll work with our guys to find better angles and track the run better. I thought we played a lot better in the second half and we’ll take positives from that game. But you have to give credit to the number two (Eimesse Essis). My goodness, he’s good and he’s real and special.”
Tustin’s defense, led by Taven Epps and Terry, dominated, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Chargers to one first down in the first half.
Note: Veteran Tustin quarterback Michael Tollefson, who transferred from JSerra and committed to Arizona State University, was absent for Friday’s game.
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—Tom Connolly, for OC Sports Zone
