PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS / CENTRAL CONFERENCE : Anaheim’s Bomb Defeats Artesia

Quarterback Robert Aldaz connected with Gerald Holloway on a 51-yard touchdown pass play with 5:19 left in the game to give Anaheim High School a 20-16 victory over Artesia in the first round of the Central Conference playoffs Friday night at Artesia High School.

The touchdown capped a 3-play, 71-yard drive and erased a 16-14 Artesia lead, which had been supplied by Pioneer kicker Matt Armenta’s 25-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter.

Artesia (9-2) mounted a final drive down on their ensuing possession, but Pioneer running back Greg Brown fumbled at the Anaheim 31-yard line and Carlos Hector recovered for Anaheim with 2:44 left.

The Colonists (8-2-1) ran out the clock.

“Our defense was really outstanding tonight,” Anaheim coach Ted Mullen said. “They got blown off the field on Artesia’s first drive, but they tightened up and played well the rest of the way. The way they held them (Artesia) to a field goal on that one drive was the key.”

Anaheim rallied on three different occasions. Touchdowns by running back Craig Smith in the first half erased 7-0 and 13-7 deficits, and Aldaz’s touchdown pass late in the game gave Anaheim the victory.

Anaheim will meet Tustin, a 9-6 winner over Fullerton, next Friday in the quarterfinals.