YORBA LINDA – Although the team fought till the end, Kaiser seemed overmatched physically against Yorba Linda, the superior opponent Friday night in a first-round CIF-SS Division 8 playoff matchup.
Five turnovers – three interceptions and two fumbles – and a stout defense helped Yorba Linda defeat Kaiser, 45-12, at Yorba Linda High. The Mustangs (9-2) will move on to the second round to take on Garden Grove next week.
“They were making plays,” Yorba Linda coach Jeff Bailey said about the turnovers his defense caused. “They were taking care of their responsibilities, and their quarterback was not on target a few times.”
Linebacker Noah Lines intercepted a pass and ran it back 55-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, increasing Yorba Linda’s lead to 38-6. It was Lines’ second interception of the night. Lines’ first interception came in the second quarter when he returned the ball to the Kaiser 22-yard line, halting a Kaiser drive that reached the Yorba Linda 47-yard line and set up a touchdown for a 21-0 lead.
Receiver Luke Lassalle grabbed the 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Luke Wilson.
Linebacker Jason Syrko had the other interception in the second quarter that set up another Wilson touchdown pass.
Wilson completed 15 of 29 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
Cole Magliano kicked a 28-yard field goal right before halftime to give Yorba Linda a 31-0 lead.
Running back Amari Fitzgerald punched the ball in the end zone for Kaiser (3-7-1, 3-2) on a 9-yard carry in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 45-12.
Tyler Allgeier, who rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, scored Kaiser’s first touchdown of the night on a two yard carry in the fourth quarter.
Yorba Linda (9-2, 2-1) put the first points of the night on the board when Wilson connected with receiver Ricky Lane for a 6-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.
A 20-yard pass from Wilson to Ricky Lane set up the ball at the 9 yard line before Mason Winter ran the ball in for a touchdown to increase Yorba Linda’s lead in the second quarter, 14-0.
