University Scores Early, Grounds Dana Hills : Behind Belle and Liebke, Trojans Grind Out Victory With Ball-Control Offense

The University High School rushing game met Dana Hills’ passing attack in a nonleague game at Irvine Thursday night, and when it was over the runners had prevailed.

University won, 16-6, behind halfback Craig Belle and fullback David Liebke, who gave the Trojans a ball-control offense that kept the Dana Hills defense on the field for much of the game.

The Trojans scored only two touchdowns themselves, but with their defense containing Dana Hills’ passing game, it was more than enough for the victory.

Belle rushed for 86 yards in 16 carries and Liebke had 97 yards in 18 carries to lead an offense that gained 205 yards rushing.

University scored on its first drive as the Trojans marched 59 yards in 7 plays, with the score coming on a four-yard run by Belle. On a sweep to the right side, Belle simply outsprinted the defenders to the corner of the end zone and the Trojans never lost the lead from there.

The Trojans threatened to score on their next drive after Jerry Gandara’s 75-yard punt return put the ball on Dana Hills’ 10-yard line, but penalties stymied the drive, forcing the Trojans to attempt a 39-yard field goal, one that was blocked.

Dana Hills took over on its 49-yard line, but could not capitalize on the turnover and went into halftime down, 7-0.

University took the second half kickoff and promptly marched 67 yards in 9 plays, with Jeff Bailey scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The march was typical of the Trojans’ offense in that they used all running plays in that drive.

“We used our straight, basic offense on that one,” University Coach Mark Cunningham said. “If we hadn’t had penalties stop us on other drives, we probably would have had other marches like that.”

Dana Hills, meanwhile, got back into the game behind two field goals from J.B. Hollis.

Hollis’ kicked a 33-yard field goal late in the third quarter and a 35-yard goal with 6:49 to play in the game, cutting University’s margin to 14-6.

University’s offense then ran about four minutes off of the clock before punting, pinning Dana Hills back on its own nine-yard line with two minutes to play. Two plays later, University’s defense sacked Dana Hills’ quarterback Jason Hickman in the end zone for the final score.

University is 3-2. Dana Hills is 2-3.