Katella Can’t Stop Bryant as Cypress Scores 23-9 Win : Running Back Rushes for 155 Yards and Scores Three Times

Katella High School had a simple game plan for Friday night’s Empire League matchup against Cypress--stop the Centurions’ running game, especially Blaise Bryant.

However, the Knights failed in their mission. They couldn’t stop Bryant, who ran for 155 yards and 3 touchdowns in Cypress’ 23-9 victory in Glover Stadium.

Katella (0-1, 2-2) led, 9-7, at the half. The Knights scored on a one-yard run by Todd Muzi that was set up by a fumble recovery and a 20-yard field goal by Bubba Clester.

But in the second half, the Knights were limited to seven yards rushing and could only complete three passes. The Centurions (1-0, 3-1) had 270 total yards, mostly in the second half.

John Selbe, the first-year Cypress head coach, said it “was a very important win that gives us momentum for the rest of the Empire League schedule.”

In other Empire League action:

Pacifica 24, Kennedy 0--The Mariners’ defense made some big plays and Ray Willis ran for 83 yards and 1 touchdown in 18 carries to lead Pacifica in Handel Stadium.

The Mariners sacked Kennedy quarterbacks nine times and limited the Irish to 107 total yards. However, Pacifica (1-0, 2-2) had trouble stopping Irish running back John Christiansen, who gained 87 yards in 14 carries.

Pacifica quarterback Brent Johnson completed 4 of 7 passes for 69 yards and two second-quarter touchdowns, a 10-yard toss to Ken Greene and a 33-yard pass to Tim Parrish.

The Mariner’s Todd Vanderhill blocked a punt early in the third quarter to set up Willis’ 11-yard touchdown run that closed the scoring.

Kennedy ( 0-1, 0-4) drove to the Mariner 13 early in the second quarter after a fake punt, but two plays later turned the ball over on an interception.