News Summary
Capistrano Valley’s football team secured a convincing 41-21 victory against Barstow in their first home game of the season at Saddleback College. Coach Sean Curtis leads the Cougars as they aim for a successful season while their campus stadium is under construction. Junior quarterback Talon Spencer put forth an outstanding performance, contributing to the team’s offensive success. With standout players and strong teamwork, the Cougars look forward to their upcoming game against Campo Verde while continuing to build momentum this season.
Capistrano Valley Football Dominates Barstow with a 41-21 Victory in Home Opener at Saddleback College
Capistrano Valley’s football team achieved a decisive victory in their first home game of the season against Barstow, winning 41-21 at Saddleback College. The match took place on Friday night during week zero of the high school football season.
The Cougars, led by Coach Sean Curtis, are currently playing their home games at Saddleback College while their on-campus stadium undergoes construction. This game marked a significant start for the team as they aim to establish a strong season ahead.
Game Highlights
Junior quarterback Talon Spencer had an impressive performance, throwing for 241 yards and completing 14 out of 20 passes, while also achieving five touchdown passes. Spencer was not only effective through the air but also contributed significantly on the ground, rushing for an additional 90 yards on seven carries.
The team’s rushing attack featured several key players, including Abel Gherasim, who rushed seven times for 57 yards. Zadyn Hall contributed with 10 carries for 47 yards, while Bradley Ruhl recorded three carries for 33 yards, including one touchdown. Matt Paikoff also had noteworthy contributions, running for 21 yards on two carries.
Receiving Standouts
The receiving corps played a crucial role in the Cougars’ offensive success. Colin Hooper emerged as a key target, catching four passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Other notable receivers included Izaiah Bennett, who made two catches for 48 yards, and Jolan Gonzalez, with four catches totaling 46 yards. Finn Mealia contributed one catch for nine yards, while Caden Epstein recorded a touchdown catch from nine yards out, earning recognition as the overall player of the game.
Awards and Recognitions
The success of the game led to various player recognitions. Talon Spencer was awarded the title of top offensive player for his performance. Brady Hassett was named the top defensive player, highlighting his efforts on that side of the ball. Additionally, Abel Gherasim garnered the special teams player of the game award, acknowledging his valuable contributions throughout the match.
A group of players—Brody Saavedra, Jolan Gonzalez, Damon Epstein, and Joseph Price—received the Iron Man award, recognizing their overall commitment and performance during the game.
Looking Ahead
Following this impressive victory, Capistrano Valley will prepare to host Campo Verde at Saddleback College on Friday. Fans can look forward to more exciting football action as the Cougars continue their quest for success this season.
The game against Campo Verde will also be available for replay on the NFHS Network, which serves as the official streaming partner for the California Interscholastic Federation.
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Additional Resources
- MaxPreps: Capistrano Valley Starts Season with Victory Against Barstow
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- OCSportsZone: Capo Valley Celebrates Opening Win
- Google Search: Capistrano Valley Football
- OC Register: Capistrano Valley High Breaks Ground on Stadium Project
- Google Scholar: Capistrano Valley Christian Football
- ASUMag: High School in Mission Viejo Getting a New Football Stadium
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football in California
- MaxPreps: Capistrano Valley Christian Starts Season with Loss
- Google News: Capistrano Valley Football Team
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
