SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL SEMIFINALS : Central Conference : Bolsa Grande Advances to Final, 19-3

A steady drizzle left the Glover Stadium turf slick for Friday night’s Central Conference semifinal playoff game between Bolsa Grande and Anaheim high schools.

But that didn’t hamper Bolsa Grande, which ground out three touchdowns in a 19-3 victory over Anaheim.

Led by junior quarterback Damon Fisher, Bolsa Grande took an early lead and coasted as the Matadors advanced to a conference final for the first time in school history.

In next week’s championship game, Bolsa Grande will face Valencia, the only team to beat the Matadors (12-1) this season. The Tigers defeated Bolsa Grande in a nonleague game in October, 33-10.

As Anaheim discovered Friday night, stopping the Bolsa Grande running game is no easy task because there is no single player to key on.

“We’re a four-back team with a quarterback,” Bolsa Grande Coach Greg Shadid said. “We utilize them all.”

Travin Lui and Ricky Lepule are the starting halfbacks, but they are often replaced by Paul Howell and Shannon Valdez, which helps to keep them all fresh.

Lui was the game’s leading rusher with 112 yards in 20 carries, including a three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that put the Matadors on top for good.

Anaheim responded with its only points when Robert Aldaz kicked a 27-yard field goal.

After that, the Colonists could do nothing against Bolsa Grande.

Bolsa Grande increased its lead to 12-3 on a nine-yard run by Fisher early in the second quarter. Fisher tricked Anaheim by faking a cut inside before scrambling for the outside corner of the end zone and the touchdown.

Lepule’s four-yard touchdown run in the third quarter accounted for Bolsa Grande’s final score.

Anaheim tried to rally, but four turnovers--including three interceptions--prevented the Colonists (8-5) from getting back in the game.

Bolsa Grande controlled the line on both sides of the ball. Fisher rushed for 101 yards in 8 carries and Lepule added 58 yards on 15 carries.