Jacob Cuccia

School: Whittier Christian

Sport: Football

Position: Running back/safety

Class: Junior

The first time Cuccia carried the ball for Whittier Christian Saturday against Mammoth, it wasn’t much of a hint of things to come. “He gained about five yards,” Whittier Christian Coach Tom Caffrey said. “It looked like it might be a five-, six-, seven-, eight-yard type of game. We didn’t expect that he would break loose like he did.” Cuccia broke loose in a big way, rushing for 304 yards--the ninth-best performance in Orange County history--and had five touchdowns in the Heralds’ 55-20 victory. Cuccia scored four touchdowns in the first half on runs of four, 59, three and two yards, and in the second half scored on an 82-yard run. Cuccia, who started on the football, basketball and baseball teams as a sophomore, gained his yards in 22 carries for a 13.8 average. It was the 15 consecutive victory for the Heralds, who won the Division IX championship last season.

Other top performers:

Jason Johnson, who gained 243 yards and scored touchdowns on 80- and 40-yard runs for La Habra in a 34-7 victory over Bolsa Grande.

Randy Larson, who had six goals in Villa Park’s 17-13 loss to Harvard in the title game of the Millikan water polo tournament.

Darin Mangnall, who intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble in Newport Harbor’s 34-0 victory over Ocean View.

Jose Prado, who completed 15 of 19 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown as El Modena defeated Sunny Hills, 24-0.