Estes Runs Valencia to Big Win : Four Touchdowns, 117 Yards Rushing Crush Bolsa Grande

Bolsa Grande High School held a coming out party Friday night only to find that Valencia’s Dorian Estes crashed it, and in a very big way.

The Matadors entered the game with high expectations: Four big wins in preseason play was cause for a celebration, and the crowd at Bolsa Grande was primed for a big win.

About 1,500 turned out for the game, including parents with video cameras and scouts from other Orange County high schools. And, showing signs of a team on the rise, they even charged $2 for a game program.

In the end, however, it was a rude welcome to big-time high school football for Bolsa Grande as Valencia jumped out to a big lead and then outlasted the Matadors, 33-10, behind its one-man dynamo in halfback Estes.

Estes stole the game, the game ball, the thunder, and anything else that he could get his hands on at Bolsa Grande’s field.

Estes’ contributions, in order, included:

--A 55-yard run for the touchdown on Valencia’s third play from scrimmage, giving the Tigers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

--A 10-yard touchdown run later in the first quarter.

--A 40-yard interception return for a touchdown on Bolsa Grande’s ensuing drive, putting Valencia ahead, 20-0, and effectively breaking the heart of the Matadors with 4:52 to play in the first quarter.

--Two more interceptions in the second quarter to thwart Bolsa Grande drives.

--A 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to provide the final margin of victory.

Estes’ totals included 4 touchdowns, 3 rushing and 1 on defense, 3 interceptions and 117 yards rushing in 16 carries. For some players, that would make a great season.

While Estes’ numbers were remarkable, Valencia beat Bolsa Grande at the line of scrimmage. Throughout the game, the Valencia offense opened wide holes for Estes and fullback Tony Goulet to run through.

The Valencia defensive line contributed too, containing an offense that was averaging 30 points per game.

The victory was not without cost for Valencia (3-1-1) as Goulet went down with a leg injury in the second quarter and was taken to Humana Hospital in Westminster as a precaution. Goulet’s father, Frank, said that it appeared his son had sustained ligament damage to his left leg and will probably be out for at least a month.

Bolsa Grande enters Garden Grove League play next Saturday at Santiago with a 4-1 record. Valencia opens Orange League play Friday at Magnolia.