Defense Helps Valencia Pummel Anaheim, 35-2

The Valencia High School defense is the foundation upon which the Tigers have anchored their season. And it’s turning out to be a rather formidable unit.

It has been the key element in each of Valencia’s six victories this season, including its 35-2 victory over Anaheim in their Orange League opener Friday night in front of 2,700.

“Defense has always been a foundation of this team,” Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo said. “We’ve always been ranked in the top 10 in Orange County.”

Credit the Tigers’ defense for giving up very little. So far this season, it has yielded just 25 points. But Valencia’s offense has scored 184 points.

Valencia forced Anaheim (2-4, 0-1), into committing three turnovers (one fumble, two interceptions). The Tiger defense also sacked Anaheim’s quarterbacks four times.

By halftime, the Tigers (6-0 overall, 1-0 in league play) had given up 11 yards rushing and kept pressure on Anaheim starting quarterback Robert Jones, who completed one of six pass attempts in the first half.

It didn’t hurt that the offense contributed 280 total yards.

Senior quarterback Richard Wells threw four touchdown passes and completed 11 of 16 passes for 168 yards. Two of the scoring passes went to senior tight end Scott Weinman, who caught six passes for 88 yards.

Sophomore running back Ryan Roskelly scored Valencia’s first touchdown with 7:00 remaining in the first quarter. The play, a nine-yard pass play, capped a 77-play drive on the Tigers’ first possession of the game.