Roskelly Leads Valencia on Offense and Defense

Valencia’s Ryan Roskelly showed Friday night that he can be a force on offense and defense.

Roskelly, a running back and defensive back, made the defensive play of the game, caught a five-yard touchdown pass and ran three yards for another score as Valencia defeated Western, 28-0, in a Western League game at Valencia High.

Valencia (7-0, 2-0) has recorded shutouts in both its league games. Against Western, Valencia allowed 88 yards, all on the ground, and six first downs. Western quarterback Brandon Brennan failed to complete a pass in nine attempts, and was intercepted once.

“We controlled the line of scrimmage, and it was a key for us,” Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo said. “But we did it begrudgingly.”

With Valencia leading, 14-0, in the third quarter, Western (1-6, 1-1) drove to Valencia’s 25-yard line. The Pioneers were penalized five yards after a lineman jumped offsides on fourth-and-one. On the next play, Brennan fumbled after being hit by Roskelly from the blind side. Scott Williams recovered the fumble, ending the drive.

Roskelly accounted for more offense by himself than the entire Western team, rushing for 90 yards in 14 carries. As a receiver, he gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter, catching a five-yard touchdown pass from Marc O’Brien, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 118 yards but threw two interceptions.

Valencia increased its lead to 14-0 in the second quarter on O’Brien’s 10-yard pass to Kevin Alexander, who made a game-high six catches for 61 yards. Roskelly and sophomore Chris Draft ran for fourth-quarter touchdowns.