ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Kelly Saves El Dorado With Late Run to Beat Canyon

After blowing a two-touchdown lead late in the fourth quarter, El Dorado was bailed out when running back DeLonne Kelly scored the game-winning touchdown with 1 minute 10 seconds left.

Kelly’s 55-yard scoring run gave El Dorado a 21-14 victory over Canyon in a season opener Friday at Valencia High.

The Golden Hawks (1-0) dominated Canyon for 3 1/2 quarters before the Comanches (0-1) rallied during the game’s final six minutes.

El Dorado had taken a 14-0 lead on a two-yard touchdown run by running back David Myers in the second quarter and a 10-yard run by Kelly with 7:39 left in the game.

But Canyon’s Troy Mills scored a 30-yard touchdown run with 6:12 remaining and a 67-yard punt return with 3:51 left to tie the score.

Then Kelly’s touchdown saved the game for El Dorado.

“It was a just a counter trap and everything was just wide open,” said Kelly, who finished with 69 yards in six carries. “The line just cleared the way. It was great.”

Canyon had stayed within in striking distance despite having only three first downs, only one of those in the second half. El Dorado outgained Canyon 307 to 147 in total offense, rushing for 270.

Myers was the game’s leading rusher with 90 yards in 19 carries. El Dorado’s Jake Ehlen added 72 more in 11 carries.

Both teams suffered heavy losses in penalties. El Dorado committed 10 for 95 yards; Canyon was penalized 10 times for 84 yards.

“We’ve got plenty to work on,” El Dorado Coach Rick Jones said. “It’s nice to win the season opener, but it’s obvious we need to work on some things.