HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: WEEK 9 : Anderson Runs Over Reseda

In a game that meant revenge for Monroe High and second place in the Valley Pac-8 Conference for the winner, the Vikings beat Reseda, 34-21, Friday night in a wild game at Monroe.

Reseda couldn’t stop running back Jason Anderson, who rushed for 227 yards in only four carries and scored three times. Reseda Coach Joel Schaeffer couldn’t stop the officials from throwing flags. There were 180 yards in infractions, 95 against the Regents.

“It’s a shame the officials had to take over,” Schaeffer said. “They spoiled a fun game. And it wasn’t the players. They showed good sportsmanship the whole night.”

Regardless, Anderson’s only complaint was the apparent sprained ankle he suffered when he ripped the ball from the hands of Armone Lochard for a third-quarter fumble recovery. Anderson didn’t return.

Had he stayed in the game, he might have gained 500 yards. He scored on a 92-yard run on the Vikings’ first play and also had touchdown runs of 55 and 60 yards.

“This means a lot to us,” Anderson said. “We lost to them last year [42-14]. Now we got them back.”

Monroe (8-1, 5-1 in conference play) didn’t need Anderson in the second half because Reseda (6-3, 4-2) had four of its five turnovers after halftime.

But the Regents struck first, on a five-yard pass from Jamaal Washington to Tony De La Torre on the game’s opening drive to lead, 7-0. The Regents also led, 7-6, 14-12, and 21-20. But the Vikings always had an answer.

Anderson’s 92-yard run made it 7-6. He ran off tackle for 55 yards in the second quarter for a 12-7 lead.

Reseda led at halftime, 14-12, after a two-yard run by Buddy Frederich. But Anderson went 60 yards on a sweep on the second play of the second half for a 20-14 lead.

Reseda answered with a trick play, receiver Michael Martin taking a handoff on an end-around and passing to Bobby Carrara for a 42-yard touchdown. But then the Regents unraveled, unable to hold onto the ball or capitalize on two blocked punts.

Defensive back and kicker Tom Gutierrez of Reseda was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, and running back Charles Shells (15-93 rushing) and De La Torre left with injuries.