Zdenek Steps Up for Chaminade

Chaminade High backup quarterback Eric Zdenek earned just as many accolades for a pass he caught as he did for the many passes he threw Friday night.

Zdenek, a junior, completed seven of nine for 107 yards and made a game-saving interception with 12 seconds to play to preserve the Eagles’ 22-21 nonleague victory over Valencia at Canyon High.

Chaminade (2-2) trailed, 21-7, at the start of the fourth quarter but rallied to take the lead after John Perry recovered teammate Lee Grassini’s fumble in the Viking end zone. Zdenek’s completion to Chris Canoles for two points put the Eagles ahead, 22-21, with 2:34 to play.

Grassini rushed for 60 yards in 14 carries, including a one-yard touchdown that pulled Chaminade to within 21-14 with 8:01 to play.

Canoles caught six passes for 89 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown from starting quarterback Lyle Everett, who was 10 of 14 for 120 yards. Everett was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after being sacked by Ray Cassaday.

“We thought we could make it,” Chaminade Coach Ed Croson said of his decision to go for two points and the lead. “I thought the way we battled all game, our kids deserved to win.”

Manuel White, who carried only six times for 35 yards in the first half, busted loose for 170 yards and a touchdown in 18 second-half carries for Valencia (2-2).