Cypress’ Jackson Gets It Done in Win Over Katella

With his team trailing by three in the third quarter, Cypress’ Dulani Jackson decided to take matters into his own hands Friday against Katella.

“I told my friend,” Jackson said, “I was going to get the kickoff and take it back and get us the lead.”

Jackson backed up his prediction, returning the kickoff 82 yards and helping Cypress to a 35-17 victory in an Empire League football game at Western High.

Jackson made another big play early in the fourth quarter.

Katella running back Francis Johnson seemed to be on his way to a 65-yard touchdown when Jackson came from behind and stripped the ball at the eight-yard line. Cypress’ Herbie Vanderhorst recovered in the end zone.

“He [Johnson] was carrying the ball loose,” Jackson said. “I knew I could strip it.”

Johnson rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown in 17 carries for Katella (2-4, 0-1), which lost its fourth in a row.

Jackson’s return gave Cypress a 21-17 lead with 7 minutes 27 seconds left in the third quarter.

Cypress increased its lead to 28-17 when James Law threw 15 yards to Mike Meza early in the fourth quarter. The score was set up by a 24-yard punt return by Rashaun Lawrence.

Kelly Patterson ran in from three yards for the Centurions final score with 1:43 remaining in the game.

Patterson, a junior running back, finished with 91 yards in 13 carries.