ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: PREP EXTRA : Anaheim Knocks Out Valencia

For the first time since 1981, the Valencia football team will not play in the postseason.

Anaheim defeated the Tigers, 19-7, in an Orange League finale Friday night. Valencia (3-7, 2-3) needed a victory over the Colonists (3-7, 2-3) to finish in a three-way tie for second with Savanna and Brea Olinda. A Tiger victory would have forced a coin flip for second place.

Instead Valencia is heading home for the first time since Coach Mike Marrujo took over 15 years ago.

Anaheim’s Reuben Droughns moved past former Servite star Derek Brown into second place on the all-time Orange County rushing list. Droughns was held to 45 yards in 16 carries, but finished his three-year career with 4,915 yards. Brown had 4,878 from 1986 to 1988. Ray Pallares (Valencia, 1983-85) holds the county record with 5,397.

Anaheim took a 13-0 lead with two second-quarter touchdowns. Mike Slach caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Luis Gomez with 10 minutes 40 seconds left in the first half for a 7-0 lead.

On the Colonists’ next possession, Gomez hooked up with Jesus Acevedo for a 63-yard touchdown with 5:47 left. Acevedo ran a slant pattern, catching Gomez’s pass in the Valencia secondary. Two Tiger defenders collided and Acevedo went untouched for the touchdown.

The Tigers made it 13-7 when Allan Manning caught an eight-yard scoring pass from Eric Young with 17 seconds left in the half. But Jacobo Ismael blocked a Valencia punt at the Tigers’ 10-yard line and recovered it in the end zone to put the game away with 9:08 to play.