PREP EXTRA / SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : DIVISION V : Valencia’s Surge Continues as Westminster Falls

Valencia, continuing its late-season surge, held Westminster to 95 net yards and picked up a 28-0 victory in a Southern Section Division V first-round playoff game Friday at Westminster High.

Valencia (5-5-1), which won its fourth consecutive game, will play host to Foothill in the quarterfinals next Friday.

“The last four weeks our team has really been stepping it up,” quarterback Joe Secoda said. “The offensive line is opening some huge holes, the defense has allowed 14 points the last four games--everyone has been stepping it up big time.”

The Tigers scored on their first three possessions, taking advantage of a Lion fumble and a pair of punts to take a 21-0 lead. Sophomore Aaron Carbajal accounted for all three scores on runs of one, one and two yards.

Westminster (6-5), which lost its final three games of the season, advanced as far as the Tiger 30 on its opening possession before losing a fumble. The Lions managed just one first down the rest of the half and did not move the ball into Valencia territory.

The Lions’ Todd Mann recovered an on-side kick to start the second half. After one Westminster first down, two Valencia sacks helped the Tigers get the ball back on downs. Valencia sacked Westminster quarterback Jerry Allison nine times. Rhett Shepard and Steve Flores each had two sacks.

The Tigers padded their lead midway through the third quarter, when Secoda connected with sophomore Jermaine Gray on a 32-yard scoring pass to make it 28-0. Secoda completed nine of 11 passes for 142 yards.