Whittier Defense Halts Droughns, Anaheim

Whittier used a strong defense to contain Anaheim’s running attack as the Cardinals defeated the Colonists, 14-0, in a Division VI playoff game Friday in front of 2,500 at Glover Stadium.

Coming into the game, Whittier Coach Mike Fitch was concerned about stopping Anaheim’s Reuben Droughns, who had rushed for 361 yards in the Colonists’ 34-32 upset over Arroyo in the first round. This week, however, the Cardinal defense was up for the challenge.

“We weren’t going to let one player beat us,” Fitch said. “We took this as a personal challenge. We have a strong defense and it’s hard to run against us. This was definitely a test of wills.”

The Cardinals (8-4) used an eight-man front and blitzed their linebackers in an effort to stifle Droughns, who managed only 45 yards in 13 carries.

“We wanted to show different looks and formations to keep them confused,” Fitch said. “We had our kids prepared to play. I’m proud of the way they stepped up. We do believe that defense wins championships.”

The Cardinals got on the board late in the first half. Quarterback Bryan La Vigne hit James Vasquez with a 20-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds remaining to give Whittier a 7-0 halftime lead.

The Cardinals continued their domination in the second half. Whittier’s running game was able to succeed where Anaheim (6-6) had failed.

The Cardinals, led by Greg Ford’s 78 rushing yards, gained 160 yards on the ground, while the Colonists had only 145 yards in total offense. The Anaheim offense spent most of the second half on the sidelines as the Whittier offense was able to control the clock.

La Vigne threw his second touchdown pass, a three-yarder to Ford, with 21 seconds left in third quarter for the final score.