Boys’ Athlete of the Week : Katovsich Makes Good on More Than Just His Second Chance

John Katovsich of Corona del Mar High School was a star Friday night in the Southern Section Division VI championship game against Valencia.

Katovsich, The Times’ athlete of the week, scored the go-ahead touchdown in a 17-7 victory on a 2-yard run. He also caught a key pass on the drive. He also made 11 tackles. He also . . . “ . . . Dropped a pass.”

Huh?

“That’s what I remember most about the game,” said Katovsich, a senior running back/linebacker. “I was wide open downfield and started running before I caught the ball. I couldn’t believe I dropped it.”

The play came with less than 2 minutes left in the first half with the Sea Kings on their 20-yard line. Corona del Mar quarterback Ty Price scrambled from the pocket and spotted a wide-open Katovsich at midfield.

“That really stuck with me,” Katovsich said. “I pride myself on having good hands. I was really hoping to get a second chance.”

He did.

On the second play of the third quarter, Price scrambled from the pocket and again spotted a wide-open Katovsich.

“I was scared that I was going to drop it again,” Katovsich said. “I cradled that thing as tight as I could. There was no way I was going to drop it. Once I had the ball, I just turned upfield and ran.”

He gained 64 yards for a first down inside the Valencia 10. Two plays later, Katovsich bulled over for a touchdown.

“I was glad that Coach (Dave) Holland had confidence in me,” said Katovsich, who rushed for 40 yards in 9 carries and caught 2 passes for 76 yards. “I mean, I blew it just before the half ended and then he came right back to me on the second play of the (second) half.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Mustapha Abdi of Savanna scored 55 points in 3 games as the Rebels won the championship of the San Clemente basketball tournament. Abdi was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Chad DeYoung of Trabuco Hills rushed for 126 yards in 16 carries and caught 4 passes for 67 yards as the Mustangs defeated Woodbridge, 34-14, to win the Southern Section Division VIII championship Friday.

David Henigan of Fountain Valley completed 15 of 19 passes for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Barons defeated Bishop Amat, 31-24, to win the Southern Section Division I championship Friday.

Keith Walker of Brea-Olinda scored 85 points in 3 games as the Wildcats finished third in the Laguna Beach basketball tournament.

John Katovsich

Corona del Mar High

Position: Running back/linebacker

Height, Weight, Class: 6-3, 225, Senior

Last Week: Katovsich rushed for 40 yards in 9 carries and caught 2 passes for 76 yards as the Sea Kings defeated Valencia, 17-7, to win the Southern Section Division VI championship Friday. Katovsich also scored on a 2-yard run which gave the Sea Kings the lead.