Estancia Rallies to Remain Unbeaten

In the midst of what is rapidly becoming its dream season, Estancia High School found one more way to win Friday night during a 28-10 Sea View League victory over Newport Harbor.

For the first time this season, the Eagles (8-0, 3-0) were forced to rally. They did so convincingly, scoring 21 points in the second half at Newport Harbor to erase a 10-7 halftime deficit.

“We did talk at halftime. We went over every single mistake we made,” said Estancia Coach John Liebengood, trying in vain to talk to reporters while being mobbed by hugging, hand-shaking, back-slapping well-wishers.

“We knew what we had to do. We had to come out and play Estancia football.”

Certainly, the second half seemed to give the Eagle offense renewed confidence, as witnessed when Estancia quarterback Danny Ucker hit Dan Petrone on a 53-yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 14-10 lead.

Defensively, Estancia regrouped as well, frustrating Newport Harbor quarterback Steve Scheck at every opportunity.

Scheck, who entered the game with a 62.3% completion percentage, finished 15 of 39 with one touchdown and two interceptions. Scheck also was sacked eight times.

But once again, it was Estancia running back Josh Wojtkiewicz who provided the greatest entertainment for Eagle fans.

Wojtkiewicz rushed for a season-high 173 yards in 21 carries and scored Estancia’s final two touchdowns. And both were spectacular.

The first, which came on the first play from scrimmage at the Estancia 22-yard line, saw Wojtkiewicz cut around the entire Newport Harbor line, then race down the sidelines 78 yards into the end zone.

On Estancia’s next possession, Wojtkiewicz got the ball, sprinted right into a mob of Newport Harbor defenders but somehow scooted out the other side and ran 23 yards for another score.

Newport Harbor (5-3, 1-2) tried to rally with Scheck throwing long passes. He worked the Sailors to the Estancia 39 but was intercepted by Jeremie Chapin.

“Eight and oh . . . it’s a school record (for most victories in a season),” Liebengood said. “It does put us in the playoffs. Or at least I hope. I don’t think CIF can pass us up.”

In the first half, Estancia gained a 7-0 lead as Petrone scored on a nine-yard run. Newport Harbor came back with a 44-yard field goal by Josh Klein, and then took a 10-7 lead when Scheck hit Mike Sipe on a five-yard scoring pass.

Newport Harbor, which had not lost to Estancia in 10 years, had its best performance from Matt White, who caught eight passes for 82 yards.