Anaheim Holds Off Magnolia’s Late Rally

Anaheim’s offense and defense pulled off a disappearing act in the second half Thursday only to reappear at the end to save a 26-21 Orange League victory over Magnolia at Glover Stadium.

Anaheim, led by strong-armed quarterback Luis Gomez, built a 26-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

After that, Magnolia’s solid ground game took control.

Magnolia (4-4, 1-2 in league) scored twice in the final four minutes of the third quarter and got within five points when Sam Uai scored from one-yard out with three minutes left. The touchdown was set up by a blocked punt that gave Magnolia a first down at the Anaheim 22.

Magnolia went for two points after Uai’s touchdown, hoping to get within a field goal, but Uai was ruled stopped just short of the goal line after catching a pass.

Anaheim failed to get a first down, so Magnolia got the ball back with 1 minute 23 seconds left. Quarterback Anthony Zaragoza’s desperation pass was intercepted by Jose Rodriguez at about the Anaheim 30 with 58 seconds remaining.

The victory moved Anaheim (4-4, 3-0) into first place alone in league and also assured the Colonists of a Southern Section playoff berth. Anaheim meets second-place Valencia (2-1 in league) at Glover Stadium Nov. 8.

But that wasn’t the first thing on Coach Allen Carter’s mind.

“Boy,” he said, “did we mess up big time. We gave up and [Magnolia] came on. . . . We were lucky. Magnolia did a heck of a job.”

Anaheim appeared ready to blow Magnolia out when Gomez completed a 53-yard scoring pass to Jimmy Gorman with 21 seconds left in the half. The score put Anaheim up, 20-0.

The same pair hooked up for a four-yard scoring pass with 6:01 left in the third quarter. Gorman had three catches for 80 yards.

Gomez finished 13 of 22 for 233 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Jesse Vasquez scored Anaheim’s first two touchdowns on runs of one and three yards.

Magnolia was led by running backs Uai and Mike Estrada.

Uai finished with a game-high 123 yards, 79 of which came in the second half. He had 19 carries in the game.

Estrada came off the bench in the second half and gained 90 yards in 11 carries, including a four-yard touchdown run.