YORBA LINDA – The nonleague contest between host Esperanza and Brea Olinda on Friday featured plenty of momentum swings, but the Wildcats won the final battle.
In a game that needed to go to overtime to decide, Michael Martinson’s 25-yard touchdown run on the first play of the extra period gave the Wildcats a 28-21 victory at Yorba Linda High.
After Martinson’s touchdown, Esperanza took its turn from the Brea Olinda 25, but Malik Campbell’s interception in the end zone on first down sealed the victory for the Wildcats (2-3).
“The team’s getting better and stronger and they are feeling more confident so good things are happening,” said Brea Olinda Coach Robb Perrance.
Esperanza (0-5) came back from a 21-7 third quarter deficit to force the overtime.
Brea Olinda quarterback Nick Drury was stellar, completing 18 of 29 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
The offensive play of the game was Drury’s third-quarter, 54-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Chammas, in which the quarterback split two defenders in the middle of the field and hit the receiver in stride.
Brea Olinda’s defense stopped Esperanza on fourth down three times.
For the Aztecs, the defeat is the latest in a series of tough breaks.
The Aztecs lost in double overtime against Buena Park on Sept. 18 and had to forfeit two other contests.
Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com
