Western Throws Change-Up at Valencia for 27-24 Victory

Going into halftime Thursday night, Western Coach Toby Howell needed to find a way to stop Jason Annis, the Valencia quarterback who scorched his defense for three first-half touchdowns.

Howell and the host Pioneers made the right adjustments and held Annis to just four second-half completions in Western’s 27-24 Orange League victory.

Annis finished 12 of 22 for 202 yards, but his offense was held in check in the second half.

“He and [wide receiver Marquis] Johnson were tough,” Howell said. “We’re not used to their new offense. But we came alive in the second half.”

Two of Annis’ scores were to Johnson on tosses of 7 and 51 yards. Johnson finished with eight catches for 156 yards.

Trailing 21-7 in the second quarter, Western (7-2, 3-1) scored on a three-yard run by Trevell Jackson, his second score of the night.

After David Gober picked off an Annis pass six plays into the third quarter, it was Jackson again on a one-yard touchdown burst. However, the score remained 21-19 when running back Jamiah Williamson’s two-point conversion dive was inches short of the goal line.

“They came out and made some adjustments,” Annis said. “They knew what we were coming out to do.”

On its next possession, Western took the lead for good when quarterback Jason Baughman rolled out and hit Jeff LaMendola from 26 yards. A successful two-pointer made it 27-21.

Jackson, who rushed for 168 yards in 31 carries, upped his season rushing total to 1,154 yards. Williamson carried 14 times for 99 yards.

Valencia dropped to 5-4, 2-2.