Luther Tarver-Burks scored four touchdowns in the first half Saturday as the Laguna Blanca 8-man football squad picked up a 47-0 win over visiting Valley Christian of Santa Maria.
It was a much-needed result after opening the season with a 50-0 loss at the hands of powerhouse Windward.
“It was definitely a confidence-builder. We needed it because we opened up with the number two team in all of 8-man, and we came out flat. It was disheartening and the kids were just crushed,” said coach Ray Robitaille. “Today was the kind of day we needed to get ready for league.”
Tarver-Burks, who Robitaille called “one of the fastest kids in the county” before the season began, certainly proved he was the fastest kid on the field on Saturday.
He was humble and selfless after the game, however.
“I felt like I played hard, and that my team was there for me. My team helped me. My team was blocking for me. I couldn’t have run without them, so I’m just glad they’re out here to help,” he said.
Sam Kent busted through a heap of tackles and threw in a nice spin move on a long running score to start the fourth quarter, and Alex “Hammer” Harmer bulldozed in one of his own to complete the day’s scoring.
Up next for Laguna is top-ranked Faith Baptist, the juggernaut of the 8-man scene.
