ANAHEIM It was only a week ago the Katella defense surrendered a gut-wrenching touchdown to Western in the final minute of its season opener.
The score ultimately resulted in a disappointing one-point loss that left the Knights scratching their heads.
On Thursday night, Katella’s defense allowed a touchdown on the final play of the game. Fortunately for Coach Fred DiPalma and his squad, the only thing lost this week was a potential shutout.
Behind a dominating performance from its offensive line, Katella running back Jameyson Mowdy rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries as the Knights cruised past Costa Mesa, 34-6, in a nonleague game at Glover Stadium.
“It was very tough last week, but I was proud of our kids – the way they practiced, came back and executed,” DiPalma said. “Some of the things we did last week were very poor. We just shot ourselves in the foot. Fortunately it didn’t happen to us tonight.”
The Knights rushed for 296 yards, averaging exactly 8 yards a carry.
Early on, however, it was their defense wreaking havoc.
Running back Mason Mataafa fumbled on Costa Mesa’s second offensive play of the game, resulting in a 35-yard scoop and score by defensive end Alejandro Regalado that gave the Knights a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
Katella (1-1) forced its second turnover of the first quarter when defensive lineman John Faitasia jumped on a botched snap to quarterback Sam Swanson deep in his own territory.
Mowdy capped the ensuing four-play, 19-yard drive early in the second quarter with a 5-yard touchdown plunge that extended the lead to 14-0.
With an offense predicated around the running game, Costa Mesa (0-3) struggled facing the two-score deficit. The Mustangs failed to complete a pass, and in the first half, its wing-based offense averaged just over 2 yards a carry.
Mowdy ripped off a 72-yard touchdown run on his final carry of the night, putting Katella up by four scores midway through the third quarter.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
