SAN BERNARDINO — Aquinas football coach Jordan Brusig had mixed emotions after Friday’s night 17-7 win over San Jacinto.
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Aquinas’ Dannicco Louie, #10, carries the ball against San Jacinto, during a non-league football game at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, Ca., on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.(Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
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Aquinas’ Dannicco Louie, #10, carries the ball against San Jacinto, during a non-league football game at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, Ca., on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.(Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
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On the one hand, Brusig was thoroughly ecstatic with the way the defense played, surrendering a total of 181 yards on the night
At the other end of the spectrum, he was visibly frustrated with 150 penalty yards and two players getting ejected from the game.
“I’m proud of the way we played, but also so (ticked) at how we displayed ourselves tonight,” Brusig said. “That’s not who we are or what we want to represent. The penalties and undisciplined moments, none of that needed to happen. We have to be better.”
Aquinas (4-1) dominated the first half of play Friday. The Falcons received the opening kickoff and drove 81 yards on 10 plays to take an early lead. Champ Brown carried the ball six times for 42 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown run that capped the drive.
The defense backed that up, forcing San Jacinto (3-3) to turn the ball over on downs at the Aquinas 31 on the ensuing drive.
Aquinas doubled its lead on the second play of the second quarter. Tyson Gaines was uncovered near the Aquinas sideline, and Charlie Reyes connected with him for a 62-yard touchdown. The officials huddled and discussed whether Gaines came from the sidelines for that play. The touchdown stood, however, as the officials determined Gaines was among the players in the huddle.
San Jacinto started the ensuing possession at midfield but again turned the ball over on downs. Aquinas’ defense made another key stop in the second quarter, when linebacker Dannicco Louie intercepted Josue Estrada with 3:03 remaining in the first half.
“They played awesome tonight,” Brusig said of his defense. “San Jacinto is a team that can gain a lot of yards on any given play. We haven’t seen an offense like that in a while…. I think we gave them only 2 or 3 explosive plays, so I’m so proud of that effort.”
Aquinas lined up for a 42-yard field goal with 1 second remaining. San Jacinto coach Aric Galliano used all three timeouts to ice kicker Christian Vega, but the Tigers twice were flagged for being offside. Vega hit a 32-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-0.
“Too many self-inflicted wounds really cost us,” Galliano said. “That field goal really hurt because now we’re chasing two scores.”
Brown limped off the field in the second quarter and did not return. Brusig said Brown’s status for next week’s Ironwood League opener against Ontario Christian is questionable. And Aquinas had trouble moving the football effectively with Brown sidelined.
A mistake by Aquinas on special teams gave San Jacinto the ball at the Falcons 10 with 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Tigers capitalized and ended their scoring drought when Estrada sneaked the ball in from 1 yards out.
San Jacinto tried to cut further into the deficit midway through the fourth period, but a drive was ended when Aquinas linebacker Jordan Hunter sacked Estrada on back-to-back plays on third and fourth downs.
“We train so hard for moments like that,” Hunter said. “That ability comes from God, and I have to give all praise to Him for that.”
Reyes completed 10 of 13 passes for 189 yards and added 24 yards on the ground. Brown finished with 66 yards on 11 carries.
Jomini Ransom was a bright spot for San Jacinto, rushing for a game-high 121 yards on 23 carries. Galliano also was pleased with how his defense bounced back after a rough opening 13 minutes.
“They settled in and played they way they can,” Galliano said. “They kept the score close and gave us a chance to come back.”
San Jacinto opens Mountain Pass League next week at Tahquitz.
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