Football: Troncale, Kalanz team up for history

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - Scoop and score.

It’s a drill that is taught countless times by Newport Harbor High’s

coaches to the defense during practices all year long and Friday night in

the CIF Southern Section Division VI football championship against Irvine

High, senior nose guard Andy Kalanz found out just how important that

drill really is.

With the Sailors trailing, 18-13, with just over 10 minutes remaining

in the game, Irvine had the ball on its own 21-yard line.

“We ran a twist-style of rush, where the ends stunt up the middle and

we finally got some penetration,” defensive line coach Mike Bargas said

of the game-winning turnover.

The twist allowed defensive end Garrett Troncale a slot up the middle

and the junior shot through the opening, grabbed a hold of Irvine

quarterback Mike Ricci, reached around and knocked the ball from Ricci’s

grasp, where Kalanz “scooped” up the ball near the goal line and rumbled

his way into the end zone, giving the Sailors the lead for good, 19-18.

“When I saw that ball pop loose, everything seemed to go in slow

motion,” Kalanz said. “My first thought was ‘pick that think up and run’

and that’s what I did. I’ve dreamed about winning CIF ever since I can

remember and now it’s finally come true.”

For Coach Jeff Brinkley, it wasn’t quite the way he envisioned winning

the title, but he’ll take it.

“When I saw the ball loose, I also thought, ‘scoop and score,”’

Brinkley said. “Andy is one hard-working kid. He comes from the same mold

as a kid we used to have here named Billy Johns. He’s a great competitor

and his work ethic is something else.”

As for the player that made this play all possible, Troncale was just

as stunned as the 7,000-plus crowd was to see the ball pop loose.

“I didn’t even know I knocked it loose,” Troncale said. “After I

twisted up the middle, I just beelined toward the quarterback and wrapped

my arms around him. The next thing I know, I see my buddy scooping the

ball up and scoring.”

Sound familiar? “It’s a defensive lineman’s dream to run with the ball

and score a touchdown,” Bargas said. “It’s unimaginable, however, to

score the game-winning touchdown for the CIF championship. It’s been an

absolute pleasure working with these guys all season long. They deserve

it.”

For Kalanz’ mother, Kathryn, those few seconds will be shared for

generations to come.

“When Andy picked the ball up and scored, I just couldn’t believe it,”

she said with a proud smile. “He’s been dreaming about this game his

whole life and tonight, he got to realize his dream. I couldn’t be

happier for him.”

Troncale’s sack was the 11th of the year for the junior and none was

any bigger than Friday’s.

Garrett’s biggest intangible is his speed,” Brinkley said. “He’s also

a hard worker with incredible tools. I’m excited because I get to have

him again next year!”

For Kalanz, this was his first fumble recovery for a touchdown in his

entire career.

“We really wanted to do it tonight,” Kalanz said. “Obviously, we

didn’t plan on winning the game with a defensive touchdown, but I was

just so happy we could do it.”

Andy’s mother put his son’s touchdown in proper perspective. “He may

never play football again after this game,” Kathryn said. “If this is his

last game, he ended his career on the biggest play of his life.”

So what started nearly five months ago in the hot summer sun, ended on

a cool, December night with the Sailors on top.

“It was all worth it,” Kathryn Kalanz said. “All the dirty laundry and

all those big meals. It was all worth it.”

For the players, no bigger thrill came than when “Big Daddy” Robert

Cole, sidelined for the championship game with a broken leg, was able to

hold the championship trophy.

“I told Robert after the game that ‘this game was for you and that I

love you,”’ Kalanz said. “We wanted to win it so bad for him. He was out

there with us in spirit. He was in the end zone celebrating with me.”