Cypress wins to keep playoff hopes alive
Cypress wins to keep playoff hopes alive
Katella vs. Cypress recap
ANAHEIM - "Turnover Tuesday" paid dividends Friday night.
With a possible postseason chance on the line, Cypress played opportunistic defense in forcing six turnovers, five in the first half, to post a 51-20 rout of host Katella at Glover Stadium.
Cypress finishes Empire League play at 2-2 and 6-3 overall while the Knights are 0-4 and 2-7. Cypress will have to wait until Sunday to find out if its season is over as Valencia, Pacifica and Kennedy have qualified for the playoffs out of the Empire League.
Centurions coach Ray Fenton says the Tuesday practice not only keeps his defense sharp but helps his offense as well.
"It's our goal to out takeaway our opponent," Fenton said. "We really needed to do that tonight as Katella was moving the ball."
The turnover parade started two plays into the game when Sean Hanson recovered a fumble at the Knights 17. Four plays later, Ryan Saumur scored from 3 yards out.
Katella took a brief 7-6 lead on a 7-yard pass from Vince Peraza to Anthuan Lara before Taylor Coe gave Cypress the lead for good on a 33-yard run with 10 seconds left in the first.
A 24-point second quarter was highlighted by Saumur, who had a 28-yard field goal, a 3-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 50-yard reception from Mike Vanderipe for another TD.
Cypress led, 37-7, at the half.
Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com
