SANTA ANA – Century rallied from a six-point halftime deficit by holding visiting Anaheim scoreless in the last two quarters to hold off Century, 20-14, in an Orange League game on Friday night.
Despite the loss, the Colonists (3-7, 2-3), who finished tied for third place with Magnolia in league, qualified for the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs. Anaheim received the playoff entry because it defeated the Sentinels, 20-13, on Oct. 6.
The Centurions (2-8, 0-4) broke a 14-14 tie on Jodeci Pongphimkam’s 2-yard run approximately four minutes into the fourth to end a seven-play, 60-yard series. David Blanco missed the extra point attempt.
Pongphimkam totaled a game-high 98 yards on eight rushes with two touchdowns and an interception early in the third.
His first touchdown leveled the score, 14-14, with 1:45 remaining in the third.
Forcing four turnovers in the second half made a difference for Century, which stopped the Colonists’ drives in good field position.
Anaheim took a 14-8 lead less than a minute before halftime with a 7-yard throw from Adam Rodríguez to Raymond Serna to conclude a 6-play, 64-yard march.
Rodríguez went 10 of 15 passing with an interception and 155 yards, and Serna led all receivers with 78 yards. He also led the Colonists with 81 rushing yards.
Alexis Rodríguez gave the Centurions an 8-7 edge with a 44-yard TD run and a two-point conversion run midway through the second quarter.
Rodríguez finished the game with 91 rushing yards.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Serna’s 1-yard run put Anaheim ahead, 7-0, capping a 13-play, 87-yard drive 5:12 into the second.
Century defeated the Colonists for the first time since Oct. 25, 2013. The teams have split the last four meetings.
