TUSTIN — Last season, Aliso Niguel quarterback Carter Vestermark had to undergo an appendectomy during the final week of the regular season and he missed the team’s first-round playoff game.
Vestermark made quite the comeback to the field Thursday.
In the season-opening game for both teams, he threw for a career-high 309 yards with four total touchdowns in Aliso Niguel’s 38-3 win over Beckman at Tustin High.
“He was starting to hit his stride last season and he had the appendix out Week 10 and it took the sails out of the team,” Aliso Niguel coach Michael Calahan said. “He’s put in all the work in the offseason. The team selected him as a captain and it shows. He’s done everything we’ve asked and he’s going to have a huge season for us.”
Vestermark’s previous career-high in passing yards was 269 against El Toro last season. His three touchdown passes matched a career-high from last season.
“It felt like it’s been too long since I’ve been out here,” Vestermark said. “To have a new personal record in passing yards is a great feeling. I have to thank my offensive line for keeping me protected. No sacks and all the time in the world.”
Aliso Niguel (1-0) opened the game looking for big plays in the passing game. Vestermark and receiver Dane Malloy connected for two touchdown passes, 59 and 57 yards, in the first quarter to give the Wolverines a 14-3 lead.
Malloy, a standout on Aliso Niguel’s track team, had three catches for 127 yards with two touchdowns. It was the first time he had over 100 yards receiving in a game and his first multi-touchdown game.
“He’s a stud. It shows on the field, on the track, he’s a hell of an athlete,” Vestermark said of Malloy.
Vestermark ran for a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Asher Youderian made a 25-yard field goal to give Aliso Niguel a 24-3 lead at halftime.
Aliso Niguel’s defense also had a standout performance Thursday, holding Beckman (0-1) to just 160 yards of total offense. Thursday was the first time Beckman was held under 10 points since 2022.
Cash Jackson had multiple hurries for Aliso Niguel’s defense and Artin Hatamabad had an interception.
Aiden Wimberly made a 25-yard field goal for Beckman in the second quarter. Senior quarterback Noah Nam completed 10 of 25 passes for 83 yards. Last season’s Lambda League Offensive Player of the Year Mahki Czaykowski ran for 43 yards on seven carries.
Vestermark threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Hagins in the third quarter and sophomore Devin Williams ran for an 18-yard touchdown in the fourth.
Hagins caught six passes for 91 yards with a score. Nick Bisaccia led the Wolverines in rushing with 63 yards on nine carries.
Aliso Niguel will host El Toro next week (Friday, Aug. 29). The Wolverines beat El Toro 28-14 last season in what was Vestermark’s previous career-high in passing yards.
“It feels great to be 1-0, especially on a Thursday so we can see how everyone does tomorrow,” Calahan said. “I know El Toro is very good. They are big, physical and all that so it will be a good test for us.”
Beckman will play Eastlake of Chula Vista on Friday, Aug. 29, on the road.