Esperanza Clinches Tie for Title With 42-0 Victory Over Cypress

Jarod Smith rushed for two touchdowns, and Keith McDonald threw for two more as Esperanza High School defeated Cypress, 42-0, Friday in an Empire League football game in front of about 500 at Western High School.

The Aztecs had 313 yards in total offense as they clinched a tie for the league championship. They can win the title outright next Friday with a victory over Katella. Esperanza, top-ranked and the only undefeated team in Division III, is 9-0, 4-0 in league play.

Smith scored his first touchdown on a 15-yard run with 4 minutes 43 seconds left in the first quarter. He scored again with 10:11 left in the first half on a 20-yard run. The second score was set up when Cypress quarterback Gabe Garcia fumbled, and the Aztecs’ Mike Burns recovered at the Cypress 40.

McDonald completed a 13-yard scoring pass to Ryan Corbett with 1:26 left in the first half, and Esperanza led at the break, 21-0. McDonald came back with a 20-yard scoring pass to tight end Reid Pullen with 7:05 left in the third quarter.