Charter Oak Sneaks By Glendora,17-6

The Glendora Tartans practice their place kicking and other drills prior to playing against Charter Oak on Friday night.

posted at glendora.patch.com

Glendora’s new football coach Todd Quinsey said he thought his team played well, despite opening the 2011 season with a 17-6 loss at Charter Oak.

The Tartans were trying to improve on last year’s Baseline League finish, but they were not helped by a schedule which pitted them against arguably the area’s top quarterback, Travis Santiago.

Last season, Santiago led the Chargers to a 13-1 record and a CIF-SS Southern Division Title, but on Friday night he hurt Glendora with his running abilities as well as throwing the football.

After Glendora took a 6-0 lead on a touchdown run by senior Skyler Crall, Santiago and the Charter Oak offense came roaring back on the strength of a balanced offense which featured a running attack anchored by sophomore Kurt Scoby.

The Chargers culminated the drive by converting a fourth down into a 9-yard touchdown run as Santiago scored on a keeper to put his team ahead 7-6 right before the end of the opening quarter.

“Santiago is very good, you expect him to beat you but not with his legs, he made some big plays with his legs tonight,” said Quinsey.

The Tartans made some costly mistakes which could have given them an advantage before the half. Perhaps none may have been more dear than a chop block penalty which nullified a touchdown by Holmes as Glendora was driving for a potential go ahead score.

Scoby scored the Chargers’ second touchdown, a 10-yard run with little time left in the opening half, giving Charter Oak a lead they never relinquished and they added a field goal near the conclusion of the third quarter.

New Glendora starting quarterback Kyle Kianpour was intercepted by Charter Oak’s defense right before halftime, thwarting another potential Glendora scoring opportunity

Quinsey said injuries and mental errors hurt the Tartans.

“I thought the kids played really hard. We were really short handed, we had a lot of guys out with injuries, especially on the line.

“We had opportunities, there were just a couple of plays that we made mistakes on, self-inflicted wounds but it’s the first game, we will get better at it.”

While some anticipated the game to be dominated by Santiago’s throwing arm, Charter Oak’s aerial attack was replaced by a more conservative approach, though Quinsey said he was not surprised by this.

“Our quarterback is one of the best athletes we’ve ever put on the field,” said Chargers coach Lou Farrar, “He makes college level reads. Our offensive line is inexperienced but we will be OK.”

Next week the Tartans will go on the road to play Mid-Valley Champion Monrovia. Kickoff is set for 7 P.M.