Miscione, Moneymaker Lead Esperanza

Esperanza High School, behind a dominating rushing attack led by Mike Miscione and the passing of Mike Moneymaker, scored a 28-12 victory over Cypress in an Empire League contest in Handel Stadium at Anaheim.

Miscione led the Aztecs (1-0-1, 4-0-1) by rushing for 112 yards and 1 touchdown on 21 carries. Esperanza had 221 yards rushing.

Moneymaker completed 5 of 13 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 33-yard pass to Don Herrick in the second quarter and a 25-yard strike to Doug Saunders in the third quarter.

Esperanza’s Rick Lane opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 28-yard interception return.

Cypress (3-2, 1-1) had trouble moving the ball but managed two first-half field goals by Lee Milton of 50 and 30 yards. The Centurions’ only other score came midway through the fourth quarter on a two-play, 80-yard drive that saw Blaise Bryant blast for 60 yards up the middle to the Esperanza 20 and then Troy O’Leary score on a 20-yard option run.

Bryant finished the evening with 99 yards in 16 carries. David Brunet completed 6 of 22 passes for 86 yards, all to O’Leary.

The Centurions had 87 yards rushing on 31 carries and 86 passing. Brunet was sacked for 31 yards in losses.

The Esperanza defense limited Cypress to two first downs in the first half and five in the game.