Esperanza Turns Lights Out on El Dorado With 33-0 Victory

PLACENTIA — The scoreboard clock went blank after the first play of the second half of El Dorado High School’s game against Esperanza Friday night. That left back judge Dave Newby in charge of timekeeping--and about 1,500 spectators in the dark about the score.

That might have been a blessing in disguise for El Dorado’s fans, who were spared having to look at the final, a 33-0 loss to Esperanza at Valencia High’s Bradford Stadium.

El Dorado (0-7 overall, 0-2 in the Empire League) sputtered on offense, which included four punts, a lost fumble, three interceptions and a fumbled punt return.

Esperanza (4-3 overall, 1-1 in league play) is clearly headed in a different direction than its cross-town rival. Sure-handed junior Reid Pullen, the Aztecs’ leading receiver, caught two touchdown passes (of five and 15 yards), quarterback Keith McDonald threw for three scores, including a 63-yarder to wingback Jarod Smith.

Tailback Lance Brown led the running game with 85 yards on 11 carries, including a six-yard touchdown sprint. But fullbacks Mark Parlin (71 yards in six carries, including a one-yard scoring plunge) and Garrick Emry (70 yards in six carries) also did their share of damage.

McDonald completed six of nine passes for 125 yards.