PREP FOOTBALL : Norco Rallies Past Pacifica in Second Half

Pacifica High School played a near-perfect first half Friday night but several second-half penalties and turnovers proved costly as Norco rallied for a 20-12 victory at Bolsa Grande.

Pacifica (1-1-1) took a 6-0 halftime lead on a 7-yard Vince St. Amand first-quarter run that capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Norco (2-1) tied the score early in the third quarter on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Brian Benz to Tony Curtis.

The Mariners overcame two holding penalties on their next drive and went ahead, 12-6, on Bobby Anderson’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Ray Straughter.

The Mariner defense, which had five first-half sacks, forced a Norco punt the next series. On Pacifica’s first play, Norco’s Brian VanTassel recovered an Anderson fumble at the Pacifica 14. Four plays later, Karl Toro put Norco ahead to stay, 13-12, with a 1-yard run.

The Cougars added a 44-yard touchdown pass from Benz to Jason Hill late in the game. Benz completed 11 of 20 passes for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead Norco.

Norco was penalized 12 times for 126 yards. Pacifica was penalized 7 times for 65 yards, including a key holding penalty late in the game that nullified a 35-yard run deep into Norco territory by Chris Shockley.