ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: PREP EXTRA : Kelly Changes Numbers, Stays Sharp for El Dorado

No matter what number he wears, there is no hiding the talent of El Dorado’s DeLonne Kelly, who helped lead the Golden Hawks to a 37-3 victory over Katella in an Empire League game Friday night at Glover Stadium.

As No. 20, Kelly returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and caught a two-point conversion pass from Mike Marzicola. Sporting No. 12, after his other jersey had been torn, he scored on runs of 13 and 11 yards and had a 62-yard punt return for an apparent touchdown called back because of penalties.

All this helped the Golden Hawks (7-3, 4-1 in league) finish second and earn a berth in the Southern Section playoffs next week. Katella (2-8, 2-3) lost its final game, but also picked up a victory Friday when Cypress had to forfeit two games for using an ineligible player.

After Art Tiscareno returned the opening kickoff 34 yards to give Katella good field position, the Knights scored on a 35-yard field goal by Carlos Flores with 7 minutes 22 seconds left in the first quarter.

The lead lasted 13 seconds, the amount of time it took Kelly to return the kickoff.

Kelly had only six carries in the game for 76 yards; David Myers had six carries for 83 yards and touchdowns of one and 34 yards.

Mike Zurhellen completed the El Dorado scoring with a 40-yard field goal and two conversion kicks.

Katella’s offense was led by Dustin Goetz, who had 65 yards in 12 carries.