Foster Sets Records as Tustin Rolls Over Valencia

TUSTIN — DeShaun Foster reached the end zone in a variety of ways during a record-setting performance as Tustin blasted Valencia, 58-14, in the first round of the Southern Section Division V football playoffs Thursday.

Foster, a senior running back, scored untouched three times, reached it with powerful forward leaps twice and even did a nifty somersault another time.

“Someone hit my legs and I was just trying to land safely,” said Foster, who rushed for 247 yards in 21 carries to set the Orange County single-season rushing record.

He has 2,602 yards in 11 games this season and passed Jeff Byrd, who had 2,596 yards for Rancho Alamitos in 1992.

Tustin (11-0) advances to the second round against the winner of Foothill and El Dorado.

“I was hoping [Foster] would get [the record] tonight,” Tustin Coach Myron Miller said. “Valencia had a great game plan, but DeShaun would break four or five tackles and make a big play. . . . He’s a very special athlete. We’re lucky to have him. Next year I’ll have to coach twice as well to gain half as many yards.”

Foster caught a 46-yard touchdown pass, and scored twice on runs of 44 yards. He also rushed in from one, two and three yards outs.

“I knew about the record,” Foster said, “but we just wanted to come out, play hard and win.”

The record Foster wasn’t aware of was the Southern Section touchdown record that he set. He has 49 touchdowns this season, passing Baldwin Park Sierra Vista’s Oscar Arzu, who had 47 touchdowns last season.

But the record is most likely temporary because Chris Hanks of Los Angeles Cathedral High has 47 touchdowns going his team’s Division XI playoff game tonight. Hanks has scored seven in each of the last four games.

Tustin also got a sharp performance from quarterback Todd Scott, who completed four of eight passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

He completed an 10-yard out pass to Foster, who broke one tackle then raced up the sideline to complete a 46-yard scoring play that gave Tustin a 20-0 lead with 1 minute 55 seconds left in the first quarter.

Scott opened the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Julius Williams, who was open by at least 10 yards, with 10:36 left in the first quarter.

Valencia (3-7-1) got a brief moment of glory when running back Scott Beason broke a 73-yard touchdown run to cut the lead 34-7 late in the first half. He finished with 117 yards in 13 carries.

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Single-Season Rushing Leaders

The top five single-season rushing totals by Orange County runners, after a 247-yard performance by Tustin’s DeShaun Foster in a 58-14 Southern Section Division V playoff victory over Valencia Thursday night:

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1. DeShaun Foster 2,602 Tustin, 1997

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2. Jeff Byrd 2,596 Rancho Alamitos, 1992

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3. Brendan McGraw 2,511 Laguna Hills, 1994

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4. Charles Chatman 2,500 Costa Mesa, 1994

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5. Leo Kosi 2,444 Rancho Alamitos, 1996

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