ORANGE LEAGUE FOOTBALL : Flag Falls in Valencia’s Favor in Victory Over Anaheim

PLACENTIA — In the first half, it appeared Reuben Droughns, Orange County’s leading rusher, was going to decide first place in the Orange League. The Anaheim sophomore had rushed for 118 yards and scored the game’s only touchdown on a 60-yard run.

But Droughns was shut down in the second half, and ultimately, the strong right arm of Valencia quarterback Rob Petko and an official’s controversial call were the difference in seventh-ranked Valencia’s 10-6 victory over Anaheim Thursday night.

The Tigers’ victory leaves them 6-1 overall and tied for first in the Orange League with a 2-0 record. Western, which Thursday beat Brea-Olinda, 35-0, also is 2-0 in league. Anaheim fell to 4-2 and 1-1 in league, but the Colonists didn’t make it easy for Valencia.

Anaheim led until Petko hit tight end Paul Tamblyn (six catches for 77 yards) on a seven-yard slant pass with 3:14 left in the game to give Valencia a 10-6 lead.

Petko, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior, led the Tigers on their game-winning 95-yard touchdown drive by completing four of eight passes for 75 yards. His crucial completion went to wide receiver Jermaine Gray (five receptions for 95 yards) on a 48-yard crossing pattern that moved the ball from Valencia’s 31 to Anaheim’s 21.

But it was a pass Petko didn’t complete that had Anaheim Coach Todd Borowski incensed.

Valencia faced a third and 10 on its 19 when Petko threw a floater in the direction of wing back Art Francis, who was surrounded by three Anaheim defenders. Anaheim defensive back Jake Walker appeared to swat the ball away from Francis, but was penalized for pass interference, giving Valencia 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Two plays later, Petko hit Gray on the 48-yarder.

“That PI killed us,” Borowski said. “If not for that, it was our ball going the other way. You hate for the officials to dictate the game.”

Petko saw things differently.

“I saw (Francis) was in man coverage and I threw up it there,” he said. “The guy was holding onto his shoulder as he jumped for it.”

Anaheim had two opportunities to put Valencia away earlier, but Colonist kicker Joel Vasquez missed a 43-yard field goal wide left in second quarter and his 47-yard attempt with 7:44 left in the game was blocked. Vasquez also had a extra-point attempt blocked.

Borowski defended his fourth-quarter decision to attempt a 47-yard field goal instead of trying to get one yard on fourth down.

“We’ve made a million of those,” he said. “I’ve got no problem going for it. If anybody wants to question it, they can come talk to me.”

Anaheim’s last drive essentially ended when quarterback Jaime Carlos was sacked for a 12-yard loss on first down. Droughns finished with 149 yards in 29 carries, but had only 31 yards in 10 carries after half.