SANTA ANA – Don’t count out Century just yet.
Needing a victory to keep its slim playoff hopes alive, the Centurions did just that, scoring a much-needed 21-14 win over rival Savanna on homecoming night Friday in a key Orange League game at Century High.
Jimmy Gutierrez got the winning score as he snapped a 14-14 tie with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:15 remaining. Century’s defense took over from there.
In Savanna’s last two possessions, the Centurions (3-5, 1-2) recorded an interception by Hector Nava, then halted a Rebels drive in the final minutes thanks to back-to-back sacks by Miguel De La Cruz.
The victory snapped Century’s four-game losing streak and kept them in contention for a CIF Southern Division playoff berth. The Centurions are in fourth place in league play, one game behind third-place Anaheim with two games remaining.
Ruben Tiscareno paced Century’s offense with 114 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Mauricio Rodriguez added 97 yards on 17 rushes.
Savanna quarterback Nate Gonzalez threw for one touchdown – a 7-yard pass to Ethan German – and added another on a 1-yard run.
The loss likely drops Savanna (2-6, 0-3) out of contention for a playoff berth.
The Rebels began the game shorthanded as 26 players were declared ineligible, forcing Savanna to cancel its freshman and junior varsity games versus Century.
Contact the writer: magarcia@ocregister.com
