Cypress notches emotional win over Pacifica

GARDEN GROVE - This one wasn’t close, but it still carried plenty of emotion for the Cypress football team.

After learning earlier in the day that starting quarterback Max Reza had been rushed to the hospital because of internal bleeding, the Centurions met rival Pacifica for the Empire League title on Friday night.

The teams played two memorable and tight games last season, including one for a section title, but Cypress won this encounter, 49-21, at Bolsa Grande.

The Centurions (7-3, 5-0) captured their first league title since 1998 behind strong special teams and running back Akeeli Muhammad.

Cypress blocked two punts to setup two scores while Muhammad rushed for 253 yards and five touchdowns.

But before dousing coach Ray Fenton with water in celebration, the Centurions were led by Muhammad in prayer for Reza.

“It was,” Fenton said, “about us and Max tonight.”

Reza was injured from a tackle during practice on Wednesday, Fenton said. The coach said Reza was expected to have surgery on Saturday today.

“(I’m) sick for him,” Fenton said. “Such a great, great kid. … Max is not only our quarterback, he’s the leader of this team.”

Cypress linebacker and top-tackler Vincent Perry honored Reza by wearing the quarterback’s No. 3 jersey.

Sophomore Zack Ortiz started in place of Reza and was steady. The brother of former Pacifica All-County wide receiver Tyler Ortiz, Zack Ortiz completed 5 of 6 passes for 111 yards.

Cypress beat Pacifica, 36-30, in last season’s CIF Southern Division final. Pacifica won the teams’ league game, 35-34. But the Centurions’ play on special teams was a big reason Friday’s game was one-sided.

With Cypress leading, 14-7, late in the first quarter, senior defensive end/tight end Archie Bernard blocked a punt that the Centurions recovered at Pacifica’s 8. Three plays later, Muhammad scored on a 4-yard run for a 21-7 lead with 42 seconds left in the period.

Pacifica opened the second half with a 77-yard scoring drive to cut Cypress’ lead to 28-21, but the Centurions’ special teams made another game-changing play.

Sophomore Marcus Maldonado blocked a punt late in the third that Cypress recovered at Pacifica’s 1. Ortiz scored on a sneak one play later as the Centurions opened a 35-21 lead.

In the fourth, Muhammad, a transfer from Artesia, scored on a 10-yard run on a fourth-and-1 and also added a 54-yard touchdown run with 4:03 left. The junior’s 10-yard run was setup by a 21-yard run by James Coman on a fake punt from his 46-yard line.

Pacifica (5-5, 3-2), which finished third in league, opened with its own strong special teams play. Cody Johnson recovered an onside kick on the opening kickoff and that led to a 4-yard touchdown pass by Raymond Huizar to Jacob Saludes.

Huizar (elbow) played for the first time in league and completed 7 of 13 passes for 93 yards.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com