YORBA LINDA – Villa Park already had first place in the Crestview League locked up going into its regular-season finale against Yorba Linda on Friday.
But staying unbeaten in league play and perhaps getting a more favorable playoff seeding provided plenty of motivation for the Spartans, who came away with a 49-24 victory at Yorba Linda High School.
“It’s just special for our school,” said Villa Park coach Dusan Ancich, on the Spartans winning a school record fifth consecutive league title.
The Spartans (8-2, 3-0) displayed their explosiveness from the game’s first play when Kyle Harlin returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown.
The kickoff return for a score was one of two in the first half for Villa Park.
Yorba Linda’s Max Miller had just kicked a 36-yard field goal to get the Mustangs to within 11 with less than a minute remaining in the half .
Then Lance Vecchio returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a score to give Villa Park a 35-17 lead at halftime.
The Mustangs (3-7, 0-3) who had nothing to play for, didn’t lay down for the Spartans. Yorba Linda quarterback Jake Gigliotti rushed for 193 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Michael Mosset’s 15-yard touchdown run, his second touchdown run of the game, got the Mustangs back to within 11 with 5:48 left in the third quarter.
The Mustangs stopped the Spartans on the ensuing drive, and took possession with a chance to get even closer.
But an interception by Kory Garcia, coupled with a personal foul against Yorba Linda, gave the Spartans possession on the Mustangs’ 32-yard line.
Villa Park then put the game essentially out of reach on a 4-yard scoring pass from Anthony Navarro to Christian Williams.
Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com
