Savanna Prevails on Flores’ Last-Minute Return

Mike Flores’ 64-yard return of a free kick for a touchdown with 20 seconds to play gave Savanna a stunning 35-31 victory over Katella in a nonleague game Thursday at Glover Stadium.

The Knights (1-1) clung to a 31-27 lead, facing a punting situation at its own 20 with just 36 seconds left. Brian Christopherson ran the ball out of the end zone for a safety, giving the Rebels two points but allowing Katella to take a free kick from the 20.

Flores, a junior, took the kick and ran down the left sideline, passing everyone on the field, en route to the end zone.

“Mike Flores did an unbelievable job,” said Savanna head coach Fred Di Palma. “He showed he had a lot of speed and was capable of making the big play.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the two teams combined for 37 second-quarter points. Savanna quarterback Paul Waldrop, who completed 11 of 15 passes for 226 yards, opened the scoring on an eight-yard option run as the quarter began.

The Knights answered by driving 76 yards, capped by Jaret Wright’s 14-yard pass to David Rojo, to take the lead, 7-6.

Waldrop came back with a 61-yard scoring pass to Rani Kohouch, then teamed with Mike Hynes on a 52-yard scoring pass..

The Knights pulled within 21-16 points at the half, scoring on an 89-yard interception return from Juan Viramontes and a 28-yard field goal by Chad Fassler.

Savanna (2-0) increased its lead to 27-16 in the third quarter, capping a 15-play, 99-yard drive with a Daven King four-yard dash up the middle.

But Katella rallied behind Wright, who threw for 139 yards and rushed for 52. He scored on runs of five and seven yards to put the Knights up, 31-27, with 2:18 remaining.

Savanna’s next drive ended after just two plays, as Viramontes picked off his second pass of the night. The Rebels then stopped the Katella ground game, setting up Christopherson’s safety.