Huntington Beach Tops Capistrano Valley (2024)

Huntington Beach – Sheue Field

Huntington Beach’s high-powered offense, led by Sophomore quarterback Brady Edmunds, delivered once again, but it was the defense that played a pivotal role in their 29-24 non-league win over Capistrano Valley on Friday.

Edmunds continued his impressive season, completing 23 of 35 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his season total to over 900 passing yards and nine touchdowns in just three games. However, despite the offensive firepower, it was the defensive plays that really secured the win.

The Oilers trailed early as Capistrano Valley opened the game with an 86-yard drive, leading to a 17-yard touchdown pass from Senior quarterback Tommy Acosta to Sophomore wide receiver Talon Spencer. After a missed field goal by Huntington Beach, the Cougars seemed ready to extend their lead, but Huntington Beach’s defense turned the game around.

Junior defensive back Steel Kurtz intercepted a first-down pass and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown, shifting the momentum. “We’ve been watching film all week. I knew what play they were going to run, and I just jumped it,” Kurtz said.

On the Cougars’ next possession, a high snap led to a safety, giving the Oilers a 9-7 lead. Huntington Beach then controlled the majority of the game, extending the lead to 19-10 at halftime following a 3-yard touchdown run by Junior running back Nathan Sammartano.

Tommy Acosta kept his team in the game, throwing for 288 yards and three touchdowns. With less than two minutes left and no timeouts, the Cougars had one last chance, driving to the Oilers’ 40-yard line. However, four straight passes to Senior wide receiver Kaden Hunter went incomplete, with Sophomore defensive back Charles Stubin breaking up the fourth-down attempt.

“I knew he was going to probably throw to him,” Stubin said. “But I kind of saw it late because I didn’t think he was going to run a corner. I’m sideways so it’s hard to see him. But I saw it eventually and I just made a play on the ball.”

The big win improved Huntington Beach to 2-1 on the season. “Our goal is just to continue to fight and not give up,” Oilers coach Brett Brown said. “These guys played their butts off and it was awesome to see.”