Dana Hills football rolls over Tesoro on career-best night for Jack Norman

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA — Dana Hills receiver Jack Norman had just one catch this season entering Friday’s nonleague game against Tesoro.

Norman had a career night with 233 yards on five catches with three touchdowns in Dana Hills’ 47-15 win over Tesoro at Tesoro High.

Norman also returned an interception for a touchdown on defense.

“That’s pretty good,” Norman said with a smile when hearing his stat line. “I’m just happy to be out here getting the ball and getting chances to score.”

Dana Hills coach Tony Henney said Norman has been playing hurt after suffering an injury in the team’s first fall practice.

“He’s been getting steadily more healthy and he did a great job tonight,” Henney said.

Sophomore quarterback Carter Anderson threw for 317 yards with three touchdowns for the Dolphins (5-0).

Dana Hills was playing without its star running back Radley Geiss who is out with an ankle injury. Geiss was averaging 144 yards per game prior to the injury last week.

Starting linebacker Thompson Foulger filled in nicely for Geiss and ran for 131 yards with two touchdowns.

“He’s the team MVP,” Henney said. “He does whatever we ask him to do and he does a great job.”

Dana Hills’ defense held Tesoro (2-3) to 229 yards of total offense and had three interceptions. The Dolphins have allowed just 49 points in their five games this season.

“Our defense has been opportunistic all year,” Henney said. “They really swarm to the football. I’m really happy with those guys and I love the way they play. Their enthusiasm for each other is noticeable.”

After stopping Tesoro on fourth down in the first quarter, Dana Hills went on an 11-play, 83-yard scoring drive capped by a 36-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to Norman to give the Dolphins a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing Tesoro possession, Foulger intercepted a pass for Dana Hills. A few plays later, Dana Hills’ backup quarterback Tommy Moro threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Desormiers to put the Dolphins ahead 14-0.

Tesoro scored midway through the second quarter on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Vaughn Steinert to Braiden Vaca, but the 2-point conversion attempt failed.

Titans’ defensive lineman Fisher Hatch recovered a fumble and returned it 37-yards which set up a 33-yard field goal by Shady Yowkeem to make the score 14-9 at halftime.

Foulger ran for a 2-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter and Anderson threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Norman to give Dana Hills a 28-9 lead.

At the end of the third quarter, Steinert threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Vaca to cut the lead to 28-15. Vaca led Tesoro in receiving with 49 yards and two touchdowns.

Nick Newsom had an interception deep into Dana Hills territory for the Dolphins early in the fourth quarter. Foulger broke free for a 73-yard run which set up an 8-yard touchdown run.

Anderson and Norman connected for two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter from 35-yards and 60-yards out, respectively.

Linebacker Wyatt Owens led Tesoro in tackles and had the lone sack of the game for the Titans. Zach Thomas and Luke Travis had tackles for a loss for Tesoro.

Both teams have a bye next week before league play starts. Dana Hills will open Foxtrot League play on the road against Aliso Niguel on Friday, Oct. 3.

Tesoro will host Newport Harbor in its Bravo League opener on Oct. 3.