Katella Squanders Chances

Richard Watson, Katella High School football coach, couldn’t explain it. Time after time Thursday night against Villa Park, the Knights moved the football at will until they got deep in Spartan territory, and then suddenly couldn’t do anything right.

The squandered scoring opportunities cost Katella as Villa Park went on to an easy 28-6 win before 850 in Fred Kelly Stadium.

“From the 20-yard line to the 20-yard line, we might be No. 1 in the nation,” Watson said. “We really have to learn how to score.”

On its first possession, Katella’s ground-oriented attack drove from its 21 to Villa Park’s 13, but the Knights got nothing out of it when Kelly Palmer badly missed a 30-yard field goal attempt. On its second possession, Katella (0-2) moved from its 27 to Villa Park’s eight, and but ended up turning the ball over on downs.

In between those drives, Villa Park (1-1) took a 6-0 lead on only three plays. Dave Rose, who gained 148 yards on 15 carries, broke loose for a 44-yard gain to the Katella 33. Jamie Nelson then scored on the next play.

Early in the second quarter, Nelson fumbled at Villa Park’s 24, but Katella couldn’t take advantage of the turnover.

Villa Park made it 14-0 with 2:19 left in the first half when Gerry Linsmeier blocked Bubba Clester’s punt and the Spartans’ Todd Ramos recovered it in the end zone.

Terry Johnson’s three-yard touchdown run capped a 72-yard, 12-play drive at 3:40 of the third quarter as the Knights cut Villa Park’s lead to 14-6. But Rose scored touchdowns only three minutes apart in the fourth quarter to end any Katella hopes of a rally.

Quarterback Greg Portis led Katlla with 99 yards rushing on 14 carries.