ANAHEIM – Having already pocketed the Orange League championship prior to Thursday night’s game, the obvious question surrounding Katella in its regular-season finale revolved around the type of effort the Knights would put forth with nothing but seeding to play for.
Even with starting quarterback Ricardo Armenta sidelined with an ankle injury, Katella showed it’s plenty ready for the postseason.
Behind a 209-yard rushing performance from Jameyson Mowdy and a second consecutive shutout from their defense, the Knights toppled visiting Santa Ana Valley, 34-0, in the teams’ regular-season finale at Glover Stadium.
Katella, which will host a first-round playoff game next week, finished the regular season with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-0 mark in league. Its defense continued to play lights out, posting another shutout. In five league games, the Knights surrendered just one touchdown to an opposing offense.
“I was very proud of the way the kids executed defensively,” Katella coach Fred DiPalma said. “It was outstanding. Very pleased.”
The Falcons (5-5 overall, 2-3 in league) likely saw their season come to a close, as they probably don’t have a strong enough record to earn an at-large berth into the postseason.
Behind backup quarterback James Fatasia, Katella scored on its opening drive just four minutes into the game. The dual-threat sophomore scored on a 5-yard quarterback keeper putting the Knights up 7-0 early.
On the first play of the second quarter, Mowdy scooted passed the Falcons defense en route to a 70-yard touchdown run. The senior back eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau on the play, and put Katella up 14-0 in the process.
Katella tacked on another long touchdown before the half with an 82-yard pass and catch from Fatasia to senior wide out Isaac Sosa.
The Knights outgained the Falcons in total yardage, 239-92, in the opening half and took a 21-0 lead into the break.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
