FOOTBALL: Trojans Roll Past Chargers 23-20

All season long the football team’s defense has stepped up big-time when the team needed it the most.

Friday night was no different in the Trojans’ 23-20 victory over Wilcox High School at Santa Clara.

Clinging to a three-point lead with less than two minutes left in the game, the Milpitas defensive squad took the field looking to protect its lead and run out the clock.

After giving up a 30-yard pass to Wilcox to start the Chargers’ drive, the Trojans clamped down on defense and didn’t give up another yard.

Two straight sacks by junior linebacker Chris Malone and senior defensive lineman Edward Leal brought the Chargers back to their own 47-yard line and left the home team with one final play to keep the game alive.

When Wilcox quarterback Andrew Aguilar dropped back to pass, he was engulfed by a swarm of white and gold jerseys. Aguilar tried launching the ball, but junior defensive lineman Vital Vea batted the ball away and sealed the Trojans' victory.

“Our defense is great,” said senior running back Sammy Fanua. “I love our defense. I was sitting on the sideline wanting to be out there with them. They came up big.”

While it was the defense that shined in the final two quarters, it was Milpitas’ offense that came out strong to start the game.

After scoring 63 points against Los Altos last week, the Trojans' offense headed onto Wilcox’ home field with confidence, and continued where it left off against the Los Altos High School Eagles last Friday.

Early touchdowns by junior running back Squally Canada and Fanua gave the Trojans a 14-0 lead in the opening frame.

The Chargers tacked on two touchdowns to tie the game late in the second quarter, but senior quarterback and kicker Tony Sauceda connected on a 22-yard field goal that put the Trojans up 17-14 heading into the half.

“We came out strong tonight,” Canada said. “We practiced hard all week and studied their plays so we could handle them on defense. But our offensive line really came up big tonight. They gave us time to pass the ball around.”

With plenty of protection in the pocket, Sauceda was able to fire off two straight passes for more than 37 yards to start off the third quarter before Canada ran the ball for his second touchdown of the night.

After a missed extra point attempt by Sauceda, the Chargers came right back and scored a running touchdown of their own to bring them back two within three. But that was as close as they would get.

The victory improved Milpitas to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in league play. The Trojans take on Los Gatos next week at home and look to continue their hot streak.

Milpitas Coach Kelly King said his team’s success this season has been in large part to his squad’s hard work at practice and the fact that his team has come together through its ups and downs throughout the season.

“We are growing together as a team,” King said. “And I think they just really like playing together. And when you have a group of guys like that, you have a chance to do some great things. Above all that, these guys just have great talent.”