SANTA ANA – Century did an excellent job of stopping La Quinta’s rushng attack Friday night, but unlike past years, the Aztecs have another option to depend on.
With the Centurions continually placing 8-10 players in the box and blitzing at will, La Quinta turned to sophomore quarterback Michael Nadeau, who completed 8 of 11 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Aztecs to a 34-13 victory over Century in a nonleague game at Century High.
“We’re not one-dimensional anymore,” said Aztecs coach Andy Diaz. “Century did a great job of stopping our run, but we can throw now.”
The victory – its fourth consecutive – improved La Quinta’s record to 4-1, its best start since 1998. Century dropped its fourth game in a row to fall to 1-4.
Nadeau not only hurt the Centurions through the air, but on the ground as well, running for two touchdowns of 1 and 5 yards.
“(Nadeau) is young, so he’ll make some mistakes, but he’s a great athlete with a strong arm,” said Diaz.
Nadeau’s exploits were never more needed than early in the fourth quarter.
Following a 12-yard TD reception by Esterban Gallegos from Century quarterback Frank Cambray, Nadeau led La Quinta on a 3-play, 57-yard drive that concluded with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Medellin. Nadeau initiated the drive with a perfectly placed 35-yard pass down the middle of the Centurions defense to Dylan Do.
Nadeau placed the finishing touch on the win with a 5-yard TD run in the fourth.
La Quinta never trailed, scoring first on a 28-yard touchdown reception by Jayelyn Walker from Nadeau in the first.
Century cut the lead to 7-6 on an 18-yard touchdown catch by Jose Ballinas. The PAT was blocked.
The Aztecs concluded the first half with back-to-back touchdown drives, the first ending on Nadeau’s 1-yard run. The second was in the final minute when Nadeau hit Medellin on a 19-yard pass. Medellin finished with three receptions for 73 yards.
Tem Le led La Quinta with 106 yards rushing on 14 carries.
Cambray finished 9 of 25 for 146 yards. Running back Alexis Rodriguez led Century with 66 yards rushing on eight carries.
Contact the writer: magarcia@scng.com
