Tonight’s Feature Game : Valencia, Anaheim Meet in Rematch

Anaheim High School’s football team, healthy for the first time since the opening game of the season, will play host to Valencia at 7:30 tonight in Anaheim’s Glover Stadium in a rematch of the 1987 Central Conference championship game.

Valencia (5-0-1 overall, 1-0 in the Orange League) has played 14 games without a loss over the past 2 seasons, the longest streak in the county. Valencia defeated Anaheim, 21-0, in league play last season and then won the conference title with a 13-0 victory.

The Tigers rely on the 1-2 running attack of Keef Leasure (655 yards) and Kevin Thomas (318 yards) and a strong defensive unit that has allowed only 26 points in 6 games.

“Their defense is as strong as ever, but the jury is still out on their offense,” said Ted Mullen, Anaheim coach. “We’re going to try and play a ball-control game and keep the ball away from them.”

Anaheim (3-3, 1-0) lost 3 of its opening 4 games. The Colonists’ top offensive threat, running back Johnny Mountain, suffered a bruised thigh in the second game and sat out the team’s fifth game against Buena Park.

Mountain returned to the lineup last week and rushed for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 31-6 victory over Magnolia. Mountain has rushed for 513 yards in 108 carries.

“We played with more intensity against Magnolia than any game this season,” Mullen said. “The veterans are starting to provide the leadership, which is encouraging.”