Barruga’s Second-Half Production Rallies Katella

Kevin Barruga scored two second-half touchdowns to lead Katella to a 26-14 victory over host El Dorado in the battle for fourth place in the Empire League Friday night at Valencia High.

Barruga scored on runs of one and 48 yards to give the Knights the come-from-behind victory.

Chris Thomas scored from 26 yards to give El Dorado a 7-0 lead on the opening series.

Katella came back with Bryce Tucker breaking loose for 39 yards to the El Dorado 10. While the play was being called back because of a holding penalty, thunder and lightning broke out and the game was suspended for 20 minutes with 5:15 left in the first quarter.

When play resumed, the field conditions had obviously changed and Katella was the first to take advantage. The Knights recovered a fumbled punt attempt on the El Dorado three and Ruben Torres scored on the next play for a 7-7 tie.

Torres scored on a nine-yard run in the second quarter to give Katella (3-7, 2-3 in league) a 13-7 halftime lead.

El Dorado regained the lead early in the second half. Chris Wilson recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half and, three plays later, he scored on a 25-yard run.

Katella bounced back with Barruga scoring the game-winner on a one-yard run with 8:08 left in the third quarter, capping a 60-yard drive.

Barruga finished the game with 147 yards in 18 carries. Torres was responsible for 74 yards in 16 carries, all in the first half.

Thomas was the leading rusher for El Dorado (3-7, 1-4) with 65 yards in 21 carries.

Zurhellen, forced to go to the air in the second half, was 11 for 25 for 110 yards.

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EMPIRE

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League Overall School W L T W L T Loara 5 0 0 6 4 0 Cypress 4 1 0 9 1 0 Kennedy 3 2 0 7 3 0 Katella 2 3 0 3 7 0 El Dorado 1 4 0 2 8 0 Century 0 5 0 1 9 0

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WEEK 10

Thursday’s result

* Loara 38, Kennedy 7

Friday’s results

* Cypress 49, Century 13

* Katella 26, El Dorado 14