COSTA MESA — This week’s quote of the week for the Estancia High football team was “Give us a chance.”
On Friday night in the Eagles’ regular-season finale, they felt at times like the referees weren’t adhering to that motto. Estancia was flagged for 15 penalties for 144 yards.
But although yellow might have been the color of the night, in the end Estancia got the green light to return to the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs after topping Calvary Chapel, 23-12, at Estancia High.
Estancia (6-4, 2-2 in the Orange Coast League) gave itself a chance in the must-win game, and clinched the last of three guaranteed Orange Coast League playoff spots. Estancia will learn of its first-round opponent Sunday.
“Especially with this being senior year, I wanted to come out winning,” said senior quarterback Alek Kirshner, who threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to George De La Torre and ran for another. “Coach [Mike] Bargas, the whole coaching staff, this whole team, we came together and pulled through. It’s a very, very proud moment.”
Senior tailback Sean Davis had 109 rushing yards in the first quarter alone for Estancia, finishing with 125 yards and a touchdown. Seniors Alex Abalos (91 yards) and Kirshner (48), as well as sophomore Alex Trancoso (40), also had success running the ball despite numerous holding penalties.
“The line did great,” said Kirshner, who shared time at quarterback with junior John Diego. “It’s pretty cliche, there’s no ‘I’ in team, but all of us got it done together.”
Estancia built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on two of its first three possessions on a 38-yard scamper from Davis and De La Torre’s touchdown reception.
Estancia then added to the lead on Kirshner’s 23-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, as he dodged tacklers and found the end zone. But Calvary (5-5, 1-3) responded back on the next play from scrimmage. Junior Brandon Perez’s 78-yard touchdown run with seven minutes to go in the game made it 20-12, Estancia.
As the penalties continued, Estancia found it difficult to run out the clock. But with Kirshner back in, it put together a 71-yard drive that stalled at the Calvary Chapel eight-yard line.
Senior Jeff Kirchberg then provided the finishing touches, connecting on a 25-yard field goal with just 37 seconds to go.
