Orange County Prep Football : La Habra Bounces Back to Beat Fullerton : Rights Itself After Having to Forfeit Opening Four Victories

In the wake of this week’s announcement that La Habra High School had to forfeit four of its previous victories this season because of an ineligible player, the Highlanders gained a large amount of satisfaction Friday night with a 24-15 Freeway League victory over Fullerton at Fullerton High School.

La Habra (1-7, 1-2) was led by quarterback Matt Shackelford, who ran for two touchdowns in the second half. Fullerton is 1-7, 1-2.

Shackleford’s first touchdown, an 84-yard run, came on the fourth play of the third quarter to increase La Habra’s lead to 10-0. Shackelford also scored on a 16-yard run with 11:25 left.

That touchdown was set up by a 36-yard pass from Shackelford to wide receiver Eric Zimmerman. Kevin Capps’ two-point conversion run gave the Highlanders a 24-7 lead.

La Habra Coach Bob Rau had nothing but praise for his team’s effort after the announcement of the forfeits.

“I’m real proud of our kids,” Rau said. “A lot of teams couldn’t take seven losses but they responded despite the distractions and were able to play some fine football.”

Along with Shackelford’s long touchdown run, the teams combined for several other big scoring plays.

Junior David Stevens scored on a 90-yard kickoff return for La Habra in the third quarter, and Fullerton running back Steve DePhillips scored the Indians’ first touchdown on a 93-yard run.