CHULA VISTA – Few season-opening victories can mean as much to a team as Friday night's win by Castle Park

Coming on the heels of a disappointing 2-7 season, the Trojans avenged a 47-0 thrashing a year ago to cross-town rival Chula Vista by edging the visiting Spartans 14-12 in a non-league thriller last night.

“This was a great night for Castle Park High and a great night for Castle Park football,” said second-year Trojans' coach John Senesky. “To go right down to the wire and beat a good football team, and a big rival, is something special.”

The first half was played like a typical opener – dominated by mistakes and turnovers.

The only score of the half was set up when a muffed punt was recovered by the Trojans' Tyrone Eden at the Chula Vista 47. Big fullback Alex Orrantia took it in from a yard out 10 plays later with 7:28 left in the half for a 7-0 Castle Park lead.

While there were still a handful of first-game mistakes in the second half, the excitement of the contest increased.

On their opening drive of the second half, the Spartans closed the gap to 7-6. On the third-play of the possession, junior quarterback Victor Perez (7-for-22, 150 yards, TD) found junior Aaron Taylor open in the right flat. A couple of moves later and Taylor was in the end zone with a 45-yard score.

It took the Trojans just one play to answer back. Capitalizing on his team's successful sweep play in the first half, Senesky called for a reverse. It worked to perfection as senior Adam Tolbert took the handoff going the other way in the backfield and raced 72 yards for the score.

“After I got the handoff, I got a great block from my tight end (Miguel Hodges) and after that it was all green,” said Tolbert.

“We have a lot more speed this year,” said Senesky. “Our sweep really set that up.”

The Spartans cut the gap to 14-12 with 18 seconds left in the third quarter when junior running back Anthony Stanislaus (12 carries, 89 yards, TD) broke free for a 33-yard TD.

Chula Vista, playing without outstanding two-way star Taimi Tutogi, missed a handful of other opportunities. Those chances included a dropped sure TD pass behind the secondary and its final 15-play drive ending on a missed 39-yard field goal with 11 seconds to play.