Mission Viejo, Calif. – September 19, 2025
Capistrano Valley wasted no time setting the tone Friday night, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first half and never looking back in a dominant 42-7 victory over Foothill.
The Cougars struck on their first three possessions, forcing the Knights to play from behind the rest of the way. By the end of the third quarter, quarterback Talon Spencer had already connected for three touchdown passes, including a 2-yard strike to Colin Hooper that stretched the lead to 35-0.
Cougars’ Offense Rolls
Spencer was sharp all night, completing 16 of 21 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns. He also contributed on the ground, rushing for 57 yards and two more scores, giving him five total touchdowns. His go-to targets were Jolan Gonzalez (4 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TDs), Hooper (4 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD), and Izaiah Bennett (6 receptions, 53 yards).
The ground game was equally dangerous. Freshman running back Abel Gherasin showcased his big-play ability with 77 yards on just four carries, including a 3-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Cade Epstein added 36 yards on three carries, giving Capistrano Valley 210 rushing yards as a team.
Foothill Struggles to Break Through
Foothill had trouble moving the ball early, managing just 53 rushing yards on 22 attempts. Quarterback Jake Lindfinished 12-of-20 for 89 yards, but the Cougar defense kept the Knights out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter.
Junior running back Aidan Faraj provided the lone highlight for Foothill, rushing 14 times for 40 yards and a 4-yard touchdown with six minutes left. He also contributed in the passing game with three receptions for 19 yards, finishing with 59 all-purpose yards.
Receivers Troy Naulty (6 catches, 40 yards) and Ford Wooton (8 catches, 35 yards) tried to provide consistency, but the Knights’ drives often stalled once they crossed midfield.
Defense & Control
Capistrano Valley’s defense didn’t allow Foothill into the red zone until the final quarter, forcing punts and winning the field position battle. Meanwhile, Foothill’s defense, led by Quinn Mulkerin (8 total tackles) and Ben Hancock (6 tackles), was under pressure all night against the Cougars’ balanced offense.
Final Word
With 418 total yards compared to Foothill’s 142, Capistrano Valley delivered a statement win. Spencer’s efficiency, Gherasin’s explosive runs, and a suffocating defense gave the Cougars complete control from start to finish.
Final Score: Capistrano Valley 42, Foothill 7
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