La Mirada Shuns ‘Tune-Up’ Role, Stuns Estancia

NEWPORT BEACH — La Mirada High School knocked previously unbeaten Estancia High School out of the Southern Section Division VI playoffs Friday night with a stunning 15-12 upset at Davidson Field.

With 9:22 left to play, La Mirada, trailing, 10-7, marched 78 yards in 14 plays to win when quarterback Chad Drown scrambled away from blitzing defenders and found Dan Arreguin open for a 23-yard touchdown pass.

“During the drive, we just kept saying to ourselves how all week long they were calling us ‘tune-ups’,” Drown said. “We didn’t want to lose it like last year.”

La Mirada (8-4) botched the snap on the conversion but Drown, who doubles as the team’s kicker, picked up the loose ball and passed to Jim Pace in the corner of the end zone for the successful two-point conversion.

Drown completed 14 of 25 for 167 yards and no interceptions, and hooked up with Eric DeLaCruz five times for 78 yards.

“We needed to pass to be successful tonight,” La Mirada Coach John Mele said, “and Chad Drown had a hell of a game.”

The Matador defense also did a job on the Eagles (10-1), forcing five Estancia turnovers--three interceptions and two fumble recoveries--and held Josh Wojtkiewicz to just 60 yards rushing.