Vista del Lago turned in a gutsy effort Friday night and walked away with a 23-21 win over Antelope for its first win of the season.

The Eagle defense gave up plenty of yards, but made big stops when they needed it most, while the offense grinded out a few first downs late to secure the win.

Anthony Mull had a big night, completing 11-of-19 passes for 291 yards and three scores. The three touchdown passes came on throws of 62, 64 and 67 yards.

Trey Hairabedian, Daniel Campbell and Al McElroy scored for the Eagles, while Caleb Gottschalk booted a 23-yard field goal.

“We gave some big plays up, but we also made some big plays,” Vista coach Chris Jones said. “Our big plays came on play-action and screen passes out of the back because that’s what they were giving us. (Even though we struggled on the ground) you can’t give up on that. You’ve got to stick with it and that’s why we were able to get those big plays.”

Hairabedian gained only 79 yards, all of which were hard earned, on 26 carries, as the Titans did a good job of containing Vista’s running game.

Vista jumped on top with a 23-yard field goal from Gottschalk midway through the first quarter. The points came off an Antelope turnover as Seth Sobottka forced and recovered a fumble to set up the field goal. Hairabedian gained nearly half his yards rushing in the game, 29, on six carries to jump-start the scoring drive.

After holding the Titans, Vista scored its first touchdown on the third offensive play of the second series when Mull hooked up with Hairabedian on a 62-yard screen pass.

Vista scored again on its next series and did so quickly. Again on the third play, Mull found Campbell in the flat and Campbell raced 64 yards untouched for Vista’s second touchdown. With Vista up 17-0, the route was on, but Antelope came back to score twice to cut the lead to 17-14 by halftime.

Vista’s defense was big in the second half, particularly early when Antelope had outstanding field position but couldn’t capitalize. The Titans recovered a Vista fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half at Vista’s 30-yard line. The Eagles held them on four plays and got the ball back.

After a blocked punt, Antelope had the ball again at Vista’s 27-yard line, but fumbled the ball on their first play from scrimmage and Ross Fiegener recovered.

Vista took a 23-14 lead when Mull found McElroy streaking down the sideline with 55.6 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Antelope brought the score to 23-21 with 4:29 to play, but Vista ran out the clock to secure the win, converting a gutsy fourth-and-inches call at their own 41 in the process. One more first down by Hairabedian sealed the game.

JV Eagles 32, Antelope 0

Vista rolled to an easy win after a disappointing loss to Oak Ridge last week.

Harry Kozlowski scored a pair of touchdowns, one to give Vista a 6-0 lead and the other on an interception return at the end of the first half to give the Eagles some breathing room at 17-0.

The route was on as the Eagles scored two more touchdowns in the second half.

“Our defense played great and we got some turnovers that we turned into points,” Vista coach Zac Kinter said. “We focused more on the run game tonight and I thought we did pretty well playing a more physical game. Defensively, Antelope’s offense could do anything on us.

“We plan to stick to this formula and hopefully have more success.”