Anaheim Stays in Playoff Race With Easy Win

Anaheim scored on each of its six first-half possessions Thursday en route to a 42-21 Orange League victory over Magnolia.

The Colonists (3-6, 2-2) earned the chance to play for the final Orange League playoff spot next week against Valencia.

“It’s been so long since an Anaheim team has played a meaningful game this late in the season,” Anaheim Coach Ben Haley said. “It’s going to be tough but exciting.”

Sergio Martinez and John Davis Jr. combined for 174 yards rushing in the first half (neither played in the second half) and Ryan Paterson threw two touchdown passes to lead the Colonists to their first victory over the Sentinels in four years.

Martinez rushed for 91 yards in eight carries and scored on runs of one and 48 yards. Martinez also had an interception in the second quarter to set up an Anaheim touchdown. Davis added 83 yards on eight carries and scored on a two-yard run in the second quarter. Paterson threw touchdown passes of 28 and 23 yards to William Safotu and Jonny Becerra in the first-half.

Safotu rounded out the Colonists’ scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds left in the first-half.

Tim Beaty had a game-high 159 yards rushing in 24 carries for Magnolia (1-8, 0-4). Beaty scored twice on three-yard runs in the second half.