HUNTINGTON BEACH – Saturday night’s contest at Ocean View High featured a pair of teams both nicknamed Warriors.
Brethren Christian (4-1) showed why they took rightful ownership of that mascot’s title on this evening with a 49-26 victory over their namesake.
Conner Miller threw for 335 yards and accounted for six touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing) and two Brethren receivers went over the century mark as Guy Demazeliere (113 yards) and Jason Fuga (102 yards) were a constant threat to the Heritage secondary.
Heritage Christian (3-2) took an early lead with a 27-yard field goal by Pablo Uggetti, but Brethren would score 21 consecutive points and take advantage of miscues by Heritage to build their lead.
After a Heritage Christian punt pinned Brethren deep in its own territory late in the second quarter, Brethren was called for holding in its own end zone, giving Heritage a safety and the ball back on the next possession. After a big return by Heritage’s Jake Rodriguez, Heritage was able to score on the next play when Michael Debesirian found Alex Alcala for a 29-yard strike, cutting Brethen’s lead to 21-12.
Fuga had two of his three touchdown catches in the first half. The last one came on fourth and eight and also the final play of the half with gave Brethren 28-12 lead over Heritage.
Alcala got Heritage within nine points again early in the third quarter when Debesirian found him all alone behind the Brethren secondary for a 60-yard touchdown pass, but Brethren would pull away as Heritage could not fully close the gap.
Miller also recorded a pair of interceptions for Brethren in the second half that set up a couple of touchdowns for the Warriors that ultimately put the game out of reach.
