Central Conference : Shackelford’s Touchdown Passes Lead La Habra, 33-0

Led by sophomore quarterback Matt Shackelford’s three touchdown passes, La Habra High School overcame a sluggish start and rolled 33-0 victory over Brea-Olinda Friday night at La Habra Stadium in the first round of the CIF Central Conference playoffs.

Shackelford, at 5-feet 9-inches, 145 pounds, also ran for a touchdown to lead a 21-point second quarter.

La Habra’s defense recorded its third straight shutout and forced five Brea turnovers.

“We really played well up front, and we were missing some important kids, too,” La Habra Coach Bob Rau said. “But it seems that whoever we have in there rises to the occasion and plays well.”

Standouts on the Highlander front four included seniors Greg Telp and Jeff Ramsey, who helped out on several sacks and constantly put pressure on Brea quarterbacks.

Both teams had chances to score in the early going, but fumbles ended early threats. Brea took its opening drive to the La Habra 2-yard line before running back Mike Oziminski fumbled into the end zone, resulting in a touchback for La Habra.

La Habra followed with a drive that ended when Jim Robertson fumbled inside the Brea 10.

But unlike the Wildcats, the Highlanders overcame their early mistakes and made up for them in the second quarter.

La Habra started its 21-point blitz with a 51-yard drive in only three plays, with Shackelford hooking up with Paul Peppard on a 22-yard scoring pass play. La Habra struck again moments later when Shackelford found Adolf Renaud, who turned a simple out pattern into a 39-yard touchdown pass play, breaking six tackles along the sidelines.

The Highlanders capped their first-half scoring when Chuck Weatherspoon dived over from the 2-yard line.

Weatherspoon’s touchdown was set up when Mike Segovia picked off quarterback Fred Camarena’s pass at the Wildcat 35-yard line and returned it to the Brea 18.

Weatherspoon, a senior, gained 131 yards in 18 carries. La Habra added two more touchdowns in the second half.

The first came on Shackelford’s 3-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, and the other came late in the game when Shackelford hit Renaud on a 93-yard scoring play.

Shackelford completed 10 of 18 passes for 270 yards.

La Habra will face Artesia in the second round at a site to be determined.

Sonora 10, Western 7--Jay Johnson kicked a 25-yard field goal with 4:04 remaining in the fourth quarter to lift the Raiders to an upset victory over the Pioneers in Handel Stadium.

The Raider (5-6) defense was outstanding as it limited the Pioneers to 135 yards and intercepted two Rich Lodding passes.

Sonora, which finished third in the Orange League and is Orange County’s only team in the playoffs with a losing record, opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Ron Lesperance hit wide receiver Gary Stick on a 6-yard touchdown pass. Johnson kicked the extra point for a 7-0 Sonora advantage.

Western, first-place finisher in the Orange League, opened the third-quarter scoring when Art Giovannini, a linebacker, scored on a plunge from three yards out. Scott Pawloski kicked the extra point and the score was tied at 7-7 with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter.

Sonora got great field position midway in the fourth period when punt returner Steve Stamper fielded a line-drive punt at the Western 35 and returned it 17 yards to the 18. Four plays later and with 4:04 remaining, Johnson hit his 25-yard field goal.

“I didn’t feel the pressure,” Johnson said. “I was making those kicks all week in practice. It felt good when I hit it.”

Sonora Coach Gordon Blakeley said: “Our defense was excellent, and I didn’t consider this an upset. We’ve been improving each week.”

Blakeley on the game-winning kick: “I was happy for Johnson, but I didn’t want to look. I closed my eyes.”

Artesia 30, Los Amigos 18--The Pioneers (8-3) took a 24-0 lead and then held on to defeat the Lobos (5-5-1) before 1,200 at Artesia High.

Quarterback Brian Smith completed 12 of 19 passed for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead Artesia, and running back Tim Armenta gained 126 and scored a touchdown in 12 carries.

The Lobos, who got as close as six points at 24-18 midway in the fourth quarter, were led by quarterback Bill Thompson, who completed 15 of 28 attempts for 184 yards and a touchdown. Running back Lito Soifua had 107 yards and 2 touchdowns in 12 carries.

La Mirada 20, Troy 10--Kelly Brooks rushed for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Matadores (9-2) defeated the Warriors (6-5) before 1,500 in Fullerton District Stadium.

Brooks scored on runs of 65 and 3 yards to lead La Mirada, which eliminated Troy in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Troy scored first on a five-yard run by Torrey Shinault at 9:48 of the first quarter. Brooks’ first touchdown tied the score at 7-7. Dan Hermansson’s 33-yard field goal gave Troy the lead again at 10-7 with 30 second left in the first quarter. But La Mirada took the lead for good in the second quarter on Brooks’ second score.