Century’s ‘Cardiac Kids’ Rally to Defeat Estancia

If Century’s football team is trailing at halftime this season, it’s a safe bet it will wind up winning.

The Centurions had come from behind in the second half three times this season, and they did it again Friday night, rallying for a 13-7 Pacific Coast League victory over Estancia.

Trailing, 7-0, at halftime, the Centurions answered with two second-half touchdowns to post the victory at Orange Coast College.

“I guess we’re just the Cardiac Kids,” Century Coach Bill Brown said. “At halftime, we talked about how we were a second-half team.”

Century (5-1, 1-0 in league) was shut out in the first half, despite out-gaining Estancia, 107-43, in total offense. Estancia built a 7-0 halftime lead when linebacker Ricardo Aguilar intercepted a Johnny Martinez pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown with 7 minutes 7 seconds left in the second quarter.

But in the second half, it was the Centurions who got the big break on defense.

Estancia (3-2-1, 0-1) had driven to the Century 11-yard line, and Eagle quarterback Matt Johner dropped back to pass.

Johner threw straight into the hands of Century defensive back Abel Perez, who took off down the left sideline for a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.

“This was a game of big plays,” Brown said. “And we just made one more tonight than Estancia did.”

Century pushed the lead to 13-7 with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter when Martinez capped a five-play, 67-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Paul Tanny. Tony Lievanos’ extra-point kick was blocked by Estancia’s Mike Smith.

The touchdown was set up by a 31-yard run by Century tailback Juan Garcia, who finished with 85 yards in 19 carries.

Estancia had the ball three times in the fourth quarter, but failed to move it past the Century 45.

The Eagles faced a fourth and 11 at the Century 45 with 22 seconds left and Johner’s pass bounced off Peter Baniaga’s hands at the 30.

Century made life miserable for Estancia’s sluggish offense, which hasn’t scored in the past two games. The Eagles had 165 yards of total offense, but lost a fumble and Johner threw three interceptions.

“This was a tough loss for us,” Estancia Coach John Liebengood said. “I thought we outplayed Century, but the turnovers killed us.”