Western and Katella Settle for Tie

Jason Covarrubias’ 50-yard field-goal attempt with five seconds left fell short, leaving Western tied with Katella, 29-29, in a nonleague game Friday night at Western High.

The Pioneers (3-1-1) had a chance to take the lead after Marques Robinson’s 16-yard touchdown run with 6:55 remaining tied the score, but a mishandled snap on the ensuing extra-point attempt thwarted their opportunity.

Both teams traded turnovers in the final five minutes and Pedro Calderon’s second interception of the game set up Western’s final field-goal try.

The Pioneers looked impressive on their opening drive, marching 35 yards in five plays to take the lead on Brandon Brennan’s six-yard keeper.

After Katella quarterback Jaret Wright ran 60 yards on an option, he found wide receiver Peter Siripanupong in the end zone for an 18-yard scoring pass.

Covarrubias answered with a three-yard touchdown late in the first quarter that gave the Pioneers a 13-8 lead.

After Chad Fassler’s one-yard touchdown run, Katella recovered a fumble at midfield and Wright again found an opening in Western’s defense and ran 39 yards for a score.

Western came right back when Brennan hit Covarrubias over the middle on a 19-yard touchdown pass and Katella led, 22-20, at the half.

After Covarrubias gave Western a 23-22 lead with a 23-yard field goal, Wright went 80 yards down the right sideline for his second touchdown. The Knights apparently scored a two-point conversion, but it was nullified by a clipping penalty, and Katella had to settle for the extra point.

Wright rushed for 200 yards in 10 carries and completed eight of 17 passes for 78 yards, but had three passes intercepted, including two in the final quarter.

Brennan completed 15 of 21 for 159 yards, but also threw two key interceptions.