FULLERTON — Making the playoffs this season was remarkable enough for the Fullerton football team.
But the resurgent Indians, who were winless last season, aren’t done yet after defeating La Quinta of La Quinta, 38-21, in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 8 playoffs Thursday at Fullerton High School.
The Indians (9-2) advance to the second round and will take on the winner of Friday’s first-round game between La Mirada and Beckman.
“Man, it’s been so cool to watch these young men because they went through so much last year,” first-year Indians head coach Pete Karavedas said. “And to watch them come through and have these moments where they’re down and fight through it … I mean, that’s what we love about high school football. That it is such a great metaphor for life. So, I’m just so proud of them.”
Fullerton used three running backs almost equally, scoring two touchdowns on the ground and three through the air.
Many players contributed to the victory, and one of the standouts was Evan Tellez-Soria, who had touchdown runs of 37 and 19 yards from the running back position, along with an interception and fumble recovery on defense as a linebacker.
Tellez-Soria’s 37-yard score came on the first drive of the game, giving Fullerton a 7-0 lead.
The Blackhawks (7-4) came back with two touchdowns, the second coming as the result of a Fullerton turnover.
Then, with La Quinta leading 14-7, the Indians scored three consecutive touchdowns in just under two minutes late in the second quarter.
The first came on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Sergio Andrade to Hudson Haiduc, leaving one minute, 48 seconds until halftime.
Fullerton held La Quinta to three and out on the ensuing drive and took possession on the Fullerton 47.
Andrade then connected with Nathan Vejar for a 20-yard score, leaving 40 seconds until halftime.
Tellez-Soria recovered a fumble at La Quinta 27-yard line with 29 seconds left.
Fullerton converted the takeaway into a touchdown, which came on a perfectly executed halfback option.
Andrade pitched the ball to Caden Wise, who then threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Zach Bird, giving the Indians a 25-14 halftime lead.
La Quinta opened the second half with a 65-yard touchdown drive, making the score 25-21.
The Indians responded with a 73-yard drive, capped by Tellez-Soria’s 19-yard touchdown run to build the lead back up to two scores.
The Blackhawks were in the red zone early in the fourth quarter when Tellez-Soria took the scoring opportunity away with an interception.
Fullerton converted that takeaway into a six-minute scoring drive, with Cyrus Avilas scoring on a 1-yard run.
“The seniors had a horrible year last year and I just wanted to bounce back for them and make it as far as we can because I know it’s their last year and they have to enjoy this,” Tellez-Soria said.
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