FULLERTON — After a tough loss in its previous game, the Troy football team used its bye week to reset its focus and attack its final nonleague game with intensity.
The Warriors dominated from the onset, taking advantage of their size on the outside, in a 42-10 win over Segerstrom Friday night at Fullerton High.
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Vander Ploog, a 6-6 senior committed to Washington, was practically unstoppable with 12 receptions for 190 yards and four touchdowns.
Troy coach Michael Echaves was proud of the team’s offensive execution, especially in the first half.
“”They were giving us things in the first half and we were taking them,” Echaves said. “Vander is a very special player and we were just fortunate that they gave us that favorable matchup and we took advantage of it.”
Ploog did most of his damage in the first half with three touchdown catches, which included a pair of 33-yard scores and a 40-yard TD just before halftime.
Troy quarterback Rudy Alcala was accurate and efficient while finding ways to get the ball in Ploog’s hands.
Segerstrom coach Joseph Tagaloa credited Ploog for making plays while his team’s focus was on stopping the Warriors run game.
“We said whoever is out there, you got him,” Tagaloa said. “And hats off to him, physically he is better than everyone and he’s hard to match up with. He uses his body well and he’s deceptively quick.”
Troy (4-1) also scored on rushing touchdowns from Noah Tapia and Charles Rippon while Ethan Mundt ran for a team-high 95 yards.
The Jaguars were able to move the ball downfield into the red zone several times throughout the game but were only able to muster up a second-quarter field goal by Diego Hernandez before backup QB Louis Garcia found Nicholas Cervantes for Segerstrom’s only TD in the game.
Tagaloa was proud of Garcia for stepping up when starter Jesse Lopez left the game due to an apparent knee injury.
“Next guy up, no excuses,” Tagaloa said. “He threw that (TD) pass and got blasted but it was awesome to see him in that situation, he’s a competitor.”
Troy faces their former Freeway League rival Sonora next week in their Iota League opener while Segerstrom (3-2) begins Kappa League play with a game against St. Margaret’s.
The Warriors are seeking redemption from last season’s 34-14 loss to the Raiders
“Sonora, they just took it to us last year and I know a lot of the guys are really excited about the game because we felt like we didn’t play our best football,” Echaves said. “They’re a great football team. Coach Oberlander does a great job and we gotta prepare well this week, continue to build and progress to play a disciplined, sound team next week.”
