SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Smith’s Running Carries Esperanza to 31-7 Victory

Jarod Smith ran for 278 yards and three touchdowns in 16 carries to lead Esperanza High School to a 31-7 victory over Leuzinger in the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs Friday night.

Smith carried the ball only four times in the second half, but scored three touchdowns and netted 159 yards--one of those carries was for a five-yard loss.

Trailing Esperanza at halftime, 10-0, Leuzinger opened the second half with a 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that consumed nearly nine minutes. Quarterback Gary Mumin scored on a seven-yard run to make it 10-7.

On Esperanza’s next play from scrimmage, Smith ran 66 yards for a touchdown to give the Aztecs a 17-7 lead.

Smith added a 27-yard touchdown run with 6:42 left and a 71-yard touchdown run with seven seconds remaining.

Esperanza quarterback Keith McDonald was six for 13 for 81 yards and one touchdown in the first half. The scoring pass went six yards to Reid Pullen with 1:40 left in the half.

McDonald attempted only one pass in the second half, and it was intercepted in the fourth quarter.