Dana Hills’ Trick Plays No Treat for Wolverines

Dana Hills didn’t pull any punches Friday in its season opener, using two fake punt plays, an onside kick and a balanced offense that rolled over Aliso Niguel, 46-7, in a nonleague football game at Dana Hills High.

The Dolphins piled up nearly 500 yards of offense and scored on its first six possessions as second-string quarterback Ryan Klink and running back Julio Peraza took center stage.

Peraza rushed for 181 yards in 18 carries and scored two touchdowns, including one on a 64-yard run that gave Dana Hills a 32-7 lead 46 seconds into the second half.

Klink called two audibles in punt formation that resulted in touchdown passes of 62 and 38 yards to Gene Shibata. Klink also completed a pass for a two-point conversion and scored on a 28-yard run to cap the scoring late in the fourth quarter.

“Ryan’s our ace in the hole,” Dana Hills Coach Scott Orloff said. “He made the key calls and made some big plays.”

When Dana Hills’ initial drive stalled on fourth and 14 at its 38 just 4 1/2 minutes into the game, Klink brought his teammates to the line with Peraza, who is also the punter, deep in the backfield.

Instead of shifting into punt formation, Klink went under center, took the snap and fired a strike to a streaking Shibata for the surprise touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dana Hills kicker Nathan Wannlund recovered his onside kick at midfield and the Dolphins cashed in with Wannlund’s 22-yard field goal.

Aliso Niguel scored its only touchdown, an 11-yard run by John McKee, on its next possession, but Dana Hills answered with an 80-yard scoring drive, highlighted by Walker’s 48-yard scramble and his 11-yard touchdown pass to Page, for a 17-7 lead with 6:33 remaining in the second.

Klink pulled off his second fake punt play with 52 seconds remaining in the second quarter, this time dropping back into punt formation, but he took the short snap and tossed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Shibata.