Champion Scores 5; Foothill Is Champion

It was appropriate that on the night Foothill claimed a share of its fourth Century League title in five years, a Champion helped the Knights achieve it.

Sophomore running back Skyler Champion rushed for 191 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Knights to a 56-7 victory over Santa Ana Valley Friday at Tustin High.

The victory gave Foothill (5-5 overall) a 4-1 league record to tie Villa Park for the championship. Villa Park, however, will go into the Southern Section Division V playoffs as the league’s No. 1 representative by virtue of a 24-23 victory over Foothill on Nov. 1.

Still, Foothill players were in a celebratory mood.

Champion’s performance, combined with a 10-carry, 91-yard effort by Lafayette Henderson, gave the Knights their third consecutive solid running-game effort.

Champion, who has 537 yards rushing in those three games, gave credit to offensive linemen Adam Tipre, Blaine Hains, Norman Katnik, Cary Blanchard, Eric Brown, David Liti, tight end Terrence Newman and fullback Carlos Ruelas.

“The line was blowing people away,” Champion said. “However many yards I got, it’s all because of the offensive line.”

Foothill’s successful running game also allowed quarterback Robbie Koster time to throw. The junior completed touchdown passes of 20 and 17 yards to Matt Hall. Dana Pino-Dempsey, Foothill’s backup quarterback, threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Hall.

Santa Ana Valley (3-7, 2-3) scored its only touchdown on a two-yard run by James Sargent in the first quarter.

Foothill’s defense also stepped up its play. The Knights intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble, which led to one score.