FULLERTON — Behind record-setting nights from senior quarterback Rudy Alcala and senior wide receiver Vander Ploog, Troy defeated Irvine 49-13 to take sole possession of first place in the Iota League on Thursday night at Fullerton High.
The Warriors (8-1, 4-0) claimed a share of the league title and can win it outright with a victory in their league finale next week at El Toro. Irvine dropped to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in league.
“We’re just hitting our stride right now, we’re really becoming a team,” Troy coach Michael Echaves said. “It’s taken a lot of hard work and a lot of tough conversations, lots of consequences but our boys are really starting to understand that it’s about the team and it’s about each other and it’s fun man, it’s getting fun.”
Alcala, who threw four touchdown passes, broke his own single-season school record (24 TDs in 2023) by throwing his 25th touchdown pass with a 6-yard throw to Ploog, who set a new school record with the grab, his 15th TD catch of the season.
Ploog, who added another TD catch in the second quarter to make his total 16, surpassed Declan Healey’s record of 14 touchdown receptions, which was set last season in 12 games.
“There’s special players you come across, and it’s so funny because it’s not as much physical as it is this crazy competitive edge that they have,” Echaves said. “It has been so fun to watch both of them, sometimes go after each other’s throats, in a good way to try and get the best out of each other and then match each other’s energy.”
“The chemistry is unreal,” he added. “In this day and age, to see two kids like that, stick it out at one high school, we’re so proud of that and so elated to have that kind of community and that kind of program.”
Kellen Watts had a pair of rushing touchdowns while Caleb Huss and Charles Rippon also caught touchdown passes from Alcala in the second half.
Ethan Mundt rushed for 202 yards and a touchdown as the Warriors dominated the line of scrimmage.
The Vaqueros weren’t at full strength as their leading rusher, Brandon Figueroa, came into the contest questionable with an ankle injury.
Figueroa carried the ball just three times for 43 yards.
Irvine was able to close the gap 14-6 late in the first quarter when quarterback Khoa Bui hit Deacon Moss for an 8-yard TD pass but the Warriors scored touchdowns on their next five drives to put the game out of reach.
Bui was knocked out of the game in the second quarter and Sina Saferzadeh took over under center for the remainder of the game.
Saferzadeh scored for the Vaqueros on a 1-yard keeper in the fourth quarter.
Echaves has his sights set on an outright league championship in the inaugural season of the Iota League and a deep playoff run.
“Last year we had to share the title with La Habra and Sonora. This year, that’s the goal to win the (league) championship and start to prepare for what we anticipate to be a tough playoff division,” he said. “To see how good this group can be is going to be exciting.”
