MISSION VIEJO – In the fourth quarter of Friday night’s game, Newport Harbor prepared to score a basket to extend their lead, but Trabuco Hills’ Nick Perez had other plans.

The senior blocked the field goal attempt, recovered the ball and returned it for 88 yards for a touchdown that gave the Mustangs the lead for good in a 23-13 non-championship win at Trabuco Hills High.

After trailing 13-0 in the first quarter, the Mustangs have scored 23 straight points.

Post-game interview with Drew Barrett of Trabuco Hills. 139 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Mustangs score a huge victory!@ocvarsity @THHSAthletics @ThhsStampede @THHSMustangs @THHS_Football pic.twitter.com/TLqyFjwFWE

– Manny Alvarez (@ MAlvarez02) September 18, 2021

“It was a team effort,” said Trabuco Hills running back Drew Barrett. “We started slowly, but we were much more conditioned than them. We just shot 100 percent. Up or down we gave it 100% every play and it paid off and we got this W. ”

Trabuco Hills (3-1) bet early in the game placing fourth on his own 17-yard line. The Mustangs were stopped, had to give the ball to the sailors, who cashed the opportunity with a 6-yard touchdown from Payton Irving.

Newport Harbor (1-3) capitalized on a recovery fumble with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Nick Kim to Kashton Henjum, but that’s all the Sailors could muster.

“Our defense has made great adjustments,” said Trabuco Hills coach Mark Nolan. “They played hard and competed. They did a great job, especially in the home stretch. We held them in a shutout after giving them 13 points. ”

Defense of Trabuco Hills with a beautiful evening tonight!@ocvarsity @THHSAthletics @ThhsStampede @THHS_Football pic.twitter.com/vX4Xx7TAAp

– Manny Alvarez (@ MAlvarez02) September 18, 2021

Trabuco Hills got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 54-yard pass from Will Burns to Ben Holland.

After a field goal from Holland, Newport Harbor was on the verge of adding a field goal, but Perez rushed for the block which resulted in an 88-yard return for a score.

Post-game interview with Trabuco Hills’ Nick Perez as the fielding block, which he would return for an 88-yard touchdown, sealed the Mustangs victory!@ocvarsity @THHSAthletics @THHS_Football @THHSMustangs @ThhsStampede pic.twitter.com/nI5mTkx2Hy

– Manny Alvarez (@ MAlvarez02) September 18, 2021

“I contained my side,” Perez said. “I saw the block and the ball in the air. I picked it up and ran. I saw a clear path and took it.

Barrett ran for 139 yards on 27 yards with a touchdown, and Will Burns completed 6 of 19 passes for 119 yards with a touchdown. He also had 39 rushing yards in five carries.

Will Kim completed 18 of 29 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown, while Kashton Henjum caught nine passes for 121 yards and one score.

Carson de Avila ran for 62 yards on seven carries and Robby Crowell had eight tackles, a record for the Sailors.

Trabuco Hills will host Segerstrom on Friday, September 24. Newport Harbor will host JSerra the same evening.