GAME RECAP: Oilers Close Regular Season with Bounce Back Victory as Foster Nears Historic Mark

PLACENTIA, CA- Huntington Beach closed out the regular season on a high note Friday night at Valencia High School, defeating El Dorado 27–14 in the Epsilon League finale. The Oilers finish the regular season 8–2 overall and 4–1 in league play, securing the league's No. 2 guaranteed playoff berth in the CIF Southern Section.

After trading early punts, Huntington Beach struck first midway through the opening quarter. Quarterback Brady Edmunds capped an 8-play, 42-yard drive by connecting with Steel Kurtz on a 4-yard touchdown to give the Oilers a 7–0 lead.

El Dorado answered in the second quarter when quarterback Hudson Shaddow found Luke Tucker for a 9-yard score to tie the game at 7–7.

The Oilers regained momentum with a methodical 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 3-yard touchdown run by Xavier Atkinson, putting Huntington Beach ahead 14–7 heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Oilers extended their lead behind a highlight moment from star receiver Troy Foster, who hauled in a 66-yard touchdown bomb from Edmunds. The score marked Foster's 21st touchdown reception of his career and moved him within just 21 yards of passing Los Alamitos legend Tony Hartley (3,181) for #2 all-time in Orange County career receiving yards.

Special teams sealed the game in the fourth quarter when Jimmel Champion recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 27–7. El Dorado added a late score on a 5-yard run by Alonzo Anguiano, but the Oilers defense held strong to close it out.

By the Numbers

Huntington Beach totaled 264 yards of offense (199 passing, 65 rushing), compared to El Dorado's 226. Edmunds was sharp once again, completing 15 of 24 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.

Foster led all receivers with 6 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown, while Kurtz added 5 catches for 40 yards and a score. Defensively, Pierce Meckel and Nikko LaShelle each tallied five tackles, and Johnny Yadrick recorded one of the team's two sacks.

Special teams were a difference-maker—Champion's blocked-punt recovery and Owen Bone's interception were key in preserving the Oilers' lead.

What's Next

With the victory, Huntington Beach caps its best regular season since 2011 and now awaits its postseason destination. The CIF Southern Section playoff pairings will be announced Sunday at 10 a.m., when the Oilers will learn their first-round opponent and division placement.

Regardless of the draw, Huntington Beach heads into the playoffs with confidence—and a historic receiver chasing records—as Troy Foster continues his pursuit of Orange County football history.