Williams Rallies Irvine to Victory

Running back Al Williams scored four touchdowns to help Irvine rally a 30-29 nonleague victory over University Friday night at Irvine High School.

Williams rushed for 212 yards in 32 carries for the Vaqueros, who trailed, 21-2, early in the third quarter.

Williams completed Irvine’s comeback with an 11-yard touchdown run--his third touchdown of the fourth quarter--with 3 minutes 58 seconds left in the game to tie the score, 29-29. Andrew Howard’s extra point gave Irvine the lead.

Irvine got in position to score when Vaquero Dave Rice recovered a Jacque Newsome fumble on the Trojans’ 25-yard line with 4:20 left. Williams scored three plays later.

University had a chance to win late in the game, when the Trojans moved to the Irvine 42-yard line. On fourth and three, quarterback Damian DeFeo’s pass fell incomplete with 24 seconds left.

Williams scored on a two-yard run with 4:50 left to cut University’s lead to 29-23.

The Trojans had taken a 29-16 lead on DeFeo’s 20-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion by Newsome with 7:58 left.

Williams started Irvine’s comeback with a five-yard touchdown run with 4:32 left in the third quarter. He then scored on a six-yard run with 11 minutes left to cut the Trojan lead to 21-16.

DeFeo completed 10 of 14 passes for 96 yards. He also gained 72 yards rushing.

Irvine quarterback Andrew Howard, making his first varsity start, completed six of 14 passes for 42 yards and had one pass intercepted.