The Fortuna offensive line continued to set the tempo at University Prep in Redding on Friday night, as the Huskies came away with a hard-fought 27-20 win in a back-and-forth showdown between two quality teams.
Sophomore running back Easton Essig, who is enjoying an outstanding start to the new season, had a huge night in the win, taking full advantage of the line’s blocking, as did senior quarterback Will Shaw, who has started the season playing at an MVP level.
The first half was high scoring, with the two schools combining for six touchdowns, but the Fortuna defense grew into the game and posted a shutout over the final two quarters, allowing the Huskies to build on a one-point halftime lead with the only TD of the second half.
Essig had a phenomenal night, rushing for 219 yards on 23 carries, as the visitors racked up an impressive 392 yards on the ground.
Shaw also had a good night running the ball and finished with 78 yards on 18 carries, while junior running back Tiki Bolden added 72 yards rushing on six carries.
All in all, it was another excellent night for the hard-running Huskies, who improved to 2-0 on the young season.
The Huskies started strong.
After receiving the opening kickoff, they quickly marched 75 yards on 10 plays and opened the scoring on a one-yard Shaw TD run.
The home team wasted no time responding and tied the game before the first quarter was done, but the Huskies added a second TD on a 52-yard Essig run on the ensuing drive.
However, the Panthers began to take control of the game after that and put up two unanswered touchdowns to take a seven-point lead (20-13).
But the Huskies would enjoy the better of exchanges to close out the half, with Shaw finding the end zone a second time with 25 seconds remaining in the second quarter, this time from two yards out.
A two-point Shaw run would give the visitors a 21-20 lead at halftime,
They would not trail again, and much like they did last week against St. Helena, they came out strong in the second half, piecing together a long, time-consuming drive that wore down the home defense.
Neither team, however, was able to add to its tally in the third quarter, but the visitors would have the final say when Essig scored his second touchdown of the night four minutes into the fourth quarter, this time from five yards out.
That score capped a nine-play, 52-yard drive.
After that, with their defense growing in stature the Huskies were able to hold on down the stretch, including taking over on downs with two minutes remaining to all but seal the victory.
With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 1-1.
The Fortuna JVs also enjoyed a big night, winning 33-7 to go to 2-0.
