Valencia Whites Out Saugus

Funny how different things can look a week after facing one of the toughest defenses in the region.

Manuel White of Valencia High needed just one week to get over his least productive game as a running back.

White became the region’s all-time leading rusher, running for a school-record 305 yards and five touchdowns Saturday night to lead the Vikings to a 55-21 victory over Saugus in a Southern Section Division III semifinal at College of the Canyons.

Both feats were lost on White, who seemed unaffected by the news.

“No biggie,” White said.

Valencia (10-3), advancing to its first section final in any sport in the school’s six-year history, will face Foothill League rival Hart (13-0) for the title Saturday.

The Vikings lost to Hart, 42-21, five weeks ago.

While Coach Brian Stiman of Valencia wanted to enjoy the moment after watching White & Co. render the Centurions defenseless, he couldn’t help but think about what’s in front of him.

“I think the kids are very excited, but it’s hard to get too excited because there is so much work ahead of us,” Stiman said.

It’s a sure bet that Hart’s defense won’t resemble Saugus’ in any way.

White roamed free, scoring on runs of 54, 44, 38, 27 and four yards.

The UCLA-bound senior needed just nine carries for 235 yards in the first half to break the region’s career rushing record held by George Keiaho of Buena.

With 6,686 rushing yards in his career, White passed Keiaho as the state’s fifth all-time leading rusher.

It’s hard to believe Notre Dame held him to 52 yards a week earlier.

“It’s hard to imagine they lost three games [this season with White],” Coach Ron Hilton of Saugus said.

“But Hart may beat them by 40 [points].”

Valencia scored on four of its first five possessions after White scored on a 38-yard run for a 21-7 lead less than two minutes into the second quarter.

The Vikings used a full cast of stars to dominate the first half for a 41-14 lead.

Wide receiver Pedro Fernandez, who averages a region-high 29.4 yards a catch, caught three passes for 131 yards, including touchdowns of 87 and 34 yards.

Stephen Stokes made two of his three interceptions in the first-half and returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown to give the Vikings a 28-7 lead two minutes into the second quarter.

But the first half clearly belonged to White, who seemed untouchable--at least by Saugus defenders.

White’s biggest runs in the first half came between the tackles.

He scored his first touchdown on his third carry of the game, running behind right tackle, then cutting back and rumbling 54 yards for the score.

Valencia turned over the ball on its next possession, but White went 44 yards between the tackles on the Vikings’ first play from scrimmage on its third possession for a 13-0 lead.

David Parker of Saugus completed 20 of 40 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

But Parker, who threw 10 interceptions in his first 381 passes, had five passes intercepted.

Quarterback Kyle Bauer of Valencia completed six of 11 passes for 187 yards and had one pass intercepted.