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Damien football delivers a defensive gem in comfortable win over Tustin – San Bernardino Sun

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Damien’s Gavin Williams (1) jumps on a loose ball to recover the fumble during a game against Tustin at Damien High School in La Verne on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

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LA VERNE — On a night when Damien’s offense sputtered and star quarterback Isaiah Arriaza looked somewhat human, the Spartans’ defense came to the rescue.

The Spartans hounded Tustin quarterback Ayden Edwards, finishing with six sacks, and Arriaza and company did enough to pull out a 24-7 victory on Friday.

Tustin came in boasting several big-time players and with an offense that averaged 33 points, but the Spartans made them look ordinary, giving up just one big play in the fourth quarter.

Otherwise, it was a near flawless performance.

“We’ve been waiting for a game like this. It was a first-half shutout,” said Damien’s two-way standout Gavin Williams, who had a big interception late in the first half. “We just played great team defense and that’s what we always talk about.”

Damien limited Tustin quarterback Ayden Edwards to just 86 yards passing, and running back Elijah Robinson was held to under 50 yards.

Spartans coach James Stewart was waiting for a night like this.

“The game went completely different than I thought it was going to go,” Stewart said. “Both teams defensively played well tonight, but our guys up front, they were up for the challenge. They had some really good players up front, but our guys were very active in their backfield, and that was the difference.”

Arriaza, who was celebrating his birthday, threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns, but also had three interceptions.

But it didn’t matter, he got the present he wanted as the Spartans improved to 4-0, while dropping Tustin to 2-2.

“I told you guys, this defense is for real. They can pick us up when we’re down, and they did today,” Arriaza said. “It’s complimentary football. I gotta clean some things, I have to fix some mistakes, but I’ll be back next week.”

Stewart said to give the Tillers defense credit for making life tough on Arriaza and their offense.

“It’s a team brother,” Stewart said. “He’s (Arriaza) been carrying us and the offense has been carrying us the first three weeks of the season, but our defense had our backs tonight, so I’m real proud of them.”

While Damien’s offense struggled in the opening quarter, its defense did its job with four first-quarter sacks, leaving the game scoreless after one.

Damien finally got the scoring going in the second quarter. Arriaza completed 38- and 13-yard passes to get inside the 10, and finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Malachi McFarland for a 7-0 lead.

McFarland caught four passes for 62 yards, and also ran for 55 yards.

Tustin threatened to answer before the half ended, but Edwards was picked off by Williams at the Spartans’ 28 with 1:20 left.

Damien was able to go to the break with a 7-0 lead as each team had two first-half turnovers.

Arriaza threw his third pick to start the second half. Tustin’s Devon Benavente came up with it, his second interception, but Benavente fumbled the ball back to the Spartans on the return.

That was costly, because a few plays later, Arriaza hit Travon Garrison in stride for a 48-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 9:58 left in the third quarter.

With the Spartans’ defense continuing to do its job, Arriaza added to their lead with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Eric Osorio for a 21-0 lead with 8:54 left in the game.

Tustin answered with its biggest play of the night. Jeremiah Salvant broke free on a reverse for a 65-yard touchdown to cut the Spartans’ lead to 21-7 with 8:42 left.

But that’s as close as they got.





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