Valencia Finishes Off Westminster : Lions Strike First, but the Tigers Dominate After That

For one oh-so-brief moment Friday night, Westminster High School football fans saw the possibility of victory--over Valencia, no less--in their winless season.

But then . . . reality.

Although Westminster scored in the game’s first 15 seconds, on a thrilling 90-yard kickoff return by Vance Senteno, Valencia snapped back with a vengeance, defeating the Lions, 27-7, in a nonleague game at Westminster.

Westminster (0-5) proved to be just another wrinkle for Valencia (5-0) to smooth out in their nonleague schedule. The Tigers begin Orange League play against Anaheim next Friday looking as sharp as ever.

“I’m pleased with our progress,” Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo said. “We’ve come together as a team. We’ve found some strengths.”

Friday, Westminster discovered those strengths and could do little to keep the Tigers at bay.

Valencia answered Senteno’s kickoff return less than a minute later with a little dazzle of its own as sophomore Randy Roskelly broke for a 45-yard touchdown run to tie the score, 7-7.

After that, Valencia was in control through most of the game, although it racked up 144 yards of pentalties in the process.

When a reporter asked if the penalties might have been the result of his team’s aggressiveness, Marrujo said:

“We don’t refer to that as being aggressive. That’s stupid. “

Valencia benefitted on the ground from the trio of Roskelly, fullback John Fewell and running back Sergio Ortiz.

Along with his first scoring run, Roskelly, younger brother of former Valencia star Randy Roskelly, rushed for 100 yards in eight carries. He also scored Valencia’s final touchdown came on a 14-yard scoring pass from Richard Wells in the fourth quarter.

Fewell, a senior, gained 105 yards in 13 carries, and Ortiz had 65 yards in 7 carries and two touchdowns, on runs of 10 and 29 yards.

Defensively, Valencia was just as impressive. The Tigers held Westminster’s leading ground-gainer, Bruce Tran, to just 15 yards. And defensive backs Roskelly and Scott Wilson continually frustrated the Lion passing attack.

Westminster quarterback John Shipp, who completed only 6 of 19 passes for 57 yards, also was intercepted twice, by John Garcia and Rob Scialdone.

“I’m very glad that we won, they play very physical,” Marrujo said. “I’m just pleased to get through another game.”