Bloomington Can’t Catch Up to Esperanza, Schuster

Jarrod Schuster heard Esperanza coaches warn the players all week about Bloomington and its offensive power.

As Schuster stood on the sideline Thursday, he was surprised that Bloomington, the two-time defending Division VII champion, could score in such easy fashion.

Which is why it helps to be an offensive juggernaut yourself.

Second-ranked Esperanza, led by Schuster’s 199 yards rushing and three touchdowns, matched Bloomington score for score in the first half, then kept right on scoring in a 49-32 victory over the Bruins in front of about 1,200 at Valencia High.

It was a good game for the Aztecs (5-0) as they go into Sunset League play next week against top-ranked Los Alamitos.

Grant Wagner (seven for 16, 123 yards, one touchdown) was intercepted on the first play of the game, leading to an 8-0 Bloomington lead. Then Esperanza scored on seven of its next eight possessions, right up until Wagner took a knee in the final seconds.

Schuster rushed 18 times for 199 yards and touchdowns runs of 21, 40 and 32 yards.

Receiver Aaron Hill scored on a 65-yard reverse and 32-yard reception, and Ryan Clewett a 13-yard run.

It was Schuster’s middle one that might have broken Bloomington’s back with help from the defense.

Trailing 24-21 at halftime, Esperanza’s defense--which adjusted by moving the defensive ends out and funneling the running game inside--stopped Bloomington on its first two drives of the second half, sandwiched around a one-yard sneak by Wagner to take a 28-24 lead. Then, on third down and seven, Schuster zigzagged past a line of would-be tacklers for the 40-yard score. Bloomington (3-2), a running team, trailed by two touchdowns.

On the next drive, Schuster capped a four-play, 95-yard drive (including his own 35-yard run) with a 32-yard score to make it 42-24.

“We knew they would be a good team, but I was a bit surprised the way they scored,” Schuster, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound senior running back. “Once the defense stopped them, we took advantage of the momentum.”

“This is exactly what we need going into the Los Alamitos game.”

Esperanza Coach Gary Meek agreed. The Aztecs will face the same pressure to score against the Griffins, who will score in a different manner.

Bloomington scored on its first three possessions and in its final possession, and converted a two-point conversion each time. The Bruins outgained Esperanza, 454-431, and outrushed the Aztecs, 438-308.

They had three runners gain more than 100 yards, Ron Adams (23 for 149), Ray Mullins (17 for 146) and Jose Monroy (18 for 113, two touchdowns). Each scored once.