Estancia earns 19-8 victory

Steve Virgen

The streak is over.

Estancia High junior fullback Bubba Kapko ran for 81 yards and two

touchdowns on 12 carries and the Eagles’ defense intensified their

efforts after halftime, leading to a 19-8 season-opening victory over

Magnolia, which ended Estancia’s 10-game losing streak, at La Palma

Park Friday night.

“I didn’t want to lose,� said Kapko, who started throughout

Estancia’s 0-9 season last year. “I was terrified of losing. I wasn’t

afraid to run with the ball. I just put my head down and ran.�

The Estancia defense also played with desire. The Eagles held

Magnolia tailback Tim Beaty to 51 yards in the second half. Beaty had

137 yards at halftime, and finished with 188 yards and one touchdown

on 24 carries.

The Eagles’ defense also came up with a key play in the second

quarter. After Kapko scored on a 3-yard run, Magnolia marched down to

Estancia’s 28-yard line, aided by an illegal substitution penalty

that kept the Sentinels’ drive alive. Magnolia was about to punt, but

the penalty gave the Sentinels a first down.

However, on third-and-seven, Estancia junior linebacker Mike Softa

broke through on a blitz and crushed the Magnolia quarterback,

jarring the ball loose. Sophomore Bryce McKendry fell on the ball to

end the Sentinels’ drive.

“We’ve been waiting for so long,� said Estancia Coach Jay Noonan,

who collected his first win with the school. “We worked hard during

the off-season and we wanted this game. We overcame the adversity.

The defense played so good. Bubba Kapko ran awesome.�

Estancia’s first two drives ended because of fumbles. But on the

Eagles third offensive possession, they found paydirt. Estancia went

on a 12-play, 90-yard drive that ate up 5:32 and ended with the big,

burly Kapko charging over right tackle for the 3-yard score, and 6-0

lead.

On third-and-10 from the Estancia 23, senior starting quarterback

Lewis Bradshaw threw a dart to Javy Ramirez on a wide receiver

screen. Ramirez read his blocks and took it for a 48-yard gain.

Estancia junior Brad Young started at quarterback in the second

half. He gave the Eagles a 12-0 lead after his 28-yard touchdown pass

to tight end Jermaine Young. The drive was set up by sophomore Geo

Macias’ 19-yard punt return that set up Estancia at the Magnolia 26.

Roger Balanos, an Estancia senior linebacker, sacked the

quarterback for a 7-yard loss prior to Macias’ punt return, and the

Estancia defense also tackled a Magnolia receiver for an 8-yard loss.

That stop for a loss, put the Sentinels on their own 8.

After Jermaine Young’s touchdown, the Estancia defense came

through with another turnover. This time, McKendry sacked the

quarterback and caused the fumble. Junior Cullen Crom recovered the

fumble. And, on the next play from scrimmage, Kapko ran, untouched,

for an 8-yard touchdown. The point-after kick by Ramirez, put

Estancia ahead, 19-0.

Magnolia scored after taking advantage of an Estancia error on a

punt. Bradshaw, the punter, made the most of a snap that went too

long, but the play put Magnolia at the Eagle 31, and the Sentinels

would score.