PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE : In 3 Years, Century Makes History

For the 150 Century High football supporters who made the trip south Thursday, it was a chance to see a bit of history.

The group got to see Century, in its third year of varsity competition, win its first title with a 30-28 victory over Laguna Hills in a Pacific Coast League game at Mission Viejo High School.

Century’s title capped a season that began 0-3-1. The Centurions (5-4-1) started league play with a 22-15 loss to Estancia, but won the final four games, including a 21-20 upset of Trabuco Hills, the league favorite. Trabuco Hills can gain a share of the league title with a victory over Laguna Beach tonight, but Century will be the No. 1 league team going into the Southern Section playoffs.

“We came here four years ago to win league titles,” Century Coach Bill Brown said. “Our kids are so darn tough. I also have a great coaching staff. They are the reason we won tonight.

“To see us early (in the season) and to see where we are now is really neat. There was no question among our kids that we were going to win tonight.”

Laguna Hills (8-2, 3-2) finishes third and will go to the playoffs as well.

Century won the game thanks mostly to a punishing running game led by tailback Julio Garcia and quarterback Rick Odoardi.

Garcia had a game-high 149 yards and Odoardi, who didn’t attempt a pass, had 103. Each scored a touchdown. Johnny Gutierrez added 64 yards and two touchdowns in six carries for Century. The lead changed hands six times, but Century went ahead for good, 23-20, when Gutierrez broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Laguna Hills then turned the ball over on downs and Century started another scoring drive. That was capped by a 15-yard scoring run by Garcia with 5:58 left and gave Century a 30-20 lead with 5:58 left.

Laguna Hills quarterback Justin Vedder, who was impressive most of the game, then led the Hawks on a 73-yard drive that was he capped with a six-yard touchdown run. He completed a two-point conversion pass as well and Laguna Hills trailed, 30-28, with 3:28 left. Vedder was 20 of 26 for 254 yards and three touchdowns.

Laguna Hills tried an on-side kick but it was recovered by Century’s Odoardi. Laguna Hills’ defense forced Century to punt for the first time and the Hawks got the ball back with 1:31 left at its 17. But Laguna Hills failed to get a first down and turned it over on downs with 30 seconds left.

Century then ran out the clock.