Football: Tesoro 35, Trabuco Hills 28

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Tesoro was supposed to blow past Trabuco Hills on Friday night on its way to showdowns with El Toro and Mission Viejo to determine the South Coast League champion.

But Trabuco showed that it shouldn't be overlooked. The Mustangs gave Tesoro all it wanted—and maybe a little more—before Tesoro escaped with a 35-28 victory at Trabuco Hills.

Ranked No. 7 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, Tesoro (6-0, 1-0 in league) won for the third time by seven points or fewer and next week lays No. 22 El Toro (7-0).

Trabuco (4-3, 0-1), the underdog of the South Coast League—which Maxpreps rated as the nation's fifth-toughest—has a bye next week before playing El Toro.

• How do the Trinity and South Coast leagues rank nationally in football competition? Click here to find out.
• Sign up to receive the daily Patch newsletter, or follow RSM Patch on Facebook andTwitter.
• If you're a business owner or manager, read about your free listing or watch a video; claim the free listing for your business here.

Tesoro got two touchdown passes from Matt Adam, who completed 7 of 11 passes for 61 yards; he also rushed for 58 yards.

The Titans also got another clutch night from Nate Tago, who rushed 27 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

After Trabuco's J.T. Land blocked a field goal and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 21-21 with less than 10 minutes left in the game, Tago carried on 12 of the next 15 plays as Tesoro marched 80 yards. After Tago's 6-yard score with 2 minutes 34 seconds left to take a 28-21 lead, Trabuco lost its chance at the upset when it lost the ball on a fumble.

Chazz Roberts recovered the Mustangs fumble and Michael Mackessey scored from 8 to make it a two-touchdown game.

Still, Trabuco managed to score with 26 seconds remaining on Nathan Perry's 9-yard scoring pass to Cole Breeland.

Tesoro recovered the onside kick to put end the matter.