CHULA VISTA – Sometimes it looked like Eastlake was going backwards on the field more than forward – on both sides of the ball.

Despite being penalized 11 times for 130 yards, the fifth-seeded Eastlake Titans got a pair of second half touchdowns passes from Tyler Balko to Hamza Hatahet to down a game but shorthanded Army-Navy Academy side 21-7 first round San Diego Section Division 3 match-up at Eastlake Friday night.

With the victory, their fourth in a row, the Titans advance to face fourth-seeded San Pasqual next week in Escondido.

“It always feels good to win, and especially at home,” said Eastlake head coach Jose Mendoza. ”I know a lot of fans were over watching the girls volleyball winning a CIF title at Southwestern College but we need (their) energy next week. We told the kids this will now start a long road trip, we hope.”

After the game was tied 7-7 at halftime with Eastlake churning up yards on the ground by senior William Schmitz, the biggest plays of the game for Eastlake were the two connections between the two juniors.

With 5:21 left in the third quarter, Balko hit Hatahet in stride over the middle. Hatahet shook off a defender and raced 52-yards to the corner of the end zone for the lead the Titans (5-6) would never surrender.

“It was a read option and I saw where the DBs were and knew I had him one-on-one,” said Balko (7-of-13 122 yards, 2 TDs). “Even though we started slow, I think I stayed calm, cool and collected and we made the plays.

The two combined for a 21-7 lead after the two hooked up on another pass over the middle from 37 yards out.

“It was a post and I saw the safety roll away so I knew I had to take a shot,” said Balko. “We haven’t worn a first round game in two or three years and really wanted it.”

No. 12 seeded Army-Navy (8-3) had nothing to be embarrassed in their performance. The Warriors took the initial lead in the game on the first play of the second quarter.

West Point-bound Nehemiah Brunson Jr. rolled right and found talented Landon Schrom open in the end zone for the 6-yard score.

“I think we showed a whole lot of Warrior style perseverance, grit and determination,” said head coach Nehemiah Brunson Sr. “With 30 young men is was an act of attrition, but I’ll take it. Who would think a school with 400 kids could play this well against a school with 2800.”

Eastlake tied the game on the following drive as senior Kingston Schaaf powered in from two yards out on a fourth and goal with 6:04 left in the half.

“We didn’t take them for granted,” said Mendoza of the Warriors. “On film we could see they were a very good, disciplined and well coached team that doesn’t take penalties. We’ve been taking these dumb penalties all year.”

Schmitz led all rushers with 160 yards on 25 carries. He broke free for apparent 46-yard TD in the Titans first possession of the game, only to be called back by a hold.

Division 3

At Eastlake High

Eastlake 21, Army-Navy 7

Army-Navy 0 7 0 0 – 7

Eastlake – 0 7 7 7 – 21

AN – Schrom 6 pass from Brunson (Gajic kick)

E – Schaaf 1 run (Naiman kick)

E – Hatahet 52 pass from Balko (Naiman kick)

E – Hatahet 37 pass from Balko (Naiman kick)