PREP FOOTBALL : Yourstone, Defense Lead Katella Over Magnolia, 28-0

It has been 17 years since Katella High School has had a winning football team.

This season things might be different as the Knights stunned Magnolia, 28-0, in the season opener Friday night at Handel Stadium in Anaheim.

Junior quarterback Jeff Yourstone had an outstanding game, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more. He gained 115 yards on the ground.

“I felt very confident out there tonight,” Yourstone said. “I was a little nervous at the begining, but I knew I could do the job.”

The Knights were given great field position all night long as early turnovers cost Magnolia two first-half touchdowns.

Magnolia fumbled the ball on its own 11-yard line early in the first quarter and, three plays later, Yourstone scored from four yards away to put the Knights up, 7-0.

Midway though the second quarter, Bubba Clerster intercepted Magnolia quarterback Mike Tietget’s pass at the Magnolia 37. On the next play, Yourstone found wide receiver Ted Brown for a 37-yard score that broke the game open, 21-0.

The Knights had gone ahead, 14-0, on a 10-yard pass from Yourstone to Mike Ferrell.

Katella’s defense was exceptional as it limited Magnolia to just 80 yards rushing and had three interceptions and recovered three fumbles.

“The defense has been the biggest change for us,” second-year Katella Coach Richard Watson said. “This win helps us mentally to get off to a good start.”