SEA VIEW LEAGUE : Tustin Struggles but Rallies to Keep University Winless

TUSTIN — Tustin’s first test in the Sea View League wasn’t expected until next week’s game against Irvine. However, beating winless University was no cakewalk Thursday night.

Tustin had to score 24 points in the final 14 minutes, then withstood a late challenge by the Trojans for a 24-21 victory in the league opener at Tustin High.

Tustin’s Lamar Barrett, who rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns in 12 carries, scored on a nine-yard run with about a minute remaining. Barrett’s run gave Tustin a 24-14 cushion and it appeared it had the victory clinched.

But University quarterback Ricco Roberson hit Jamie Polidore for a 56-yard touchdown pass with 23 seconds remaining to cut Tustin’s lead to three. The Trojans recovered an onside kick at their 49 with 21 seconds remaining and a chance for an upset. But the drive stalled at the Tustin 39 as Roberson’s pass to the end zone fell incomplete as time expired.

University (0-4) led, 14-0, until Tustin (3-1) broke loose late in the third quarter. Barrett’s 11-yard run cut the lead to 14-7 with 1:23 remaining in the quarter. The Trojans seemed to fall apart for a brief period.

Tustin tackled punter Jeff Rosenberger in the end zone for a safety to make the score 14-9 with 11:38 remaining in the game. Jason Reynolds’ three-yard touchdown run gave Tustin the lead with 9:32 remaining.