Cypress Cruises Behind Rice and Shorter, 39-0

On the strength of performances by quarterback Justin Rice and running back Darren Shorter, Cypress defeated visiting La Quinta, 39-0, Thursday in a nonleague football game at Western High.

Cypress (3-0) took its first possession 66 yards in six plays, capped by a Shorter one-yard touchdown run. Shorter finished with 164 yards in 11 carries. An 18-yard pass to Shorter from Rice set up Cypress’ second score.

With 4 minutes 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Rice handed the ball to Shorter, who broke three tackles for a 58-yard run. Scott Hailey closed the quarter with a 21-yard field goal to make it 17-0.

Rice, who completed 10 of 14 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns, set the tone early in the second quarter, moving Cypress 71 yards in five plays. The big play happened when Rice connected with Darnell Dotson on a 41-yard pass to the La Quinta nine.

One play later, Rice found Dotson again for a nine-yard touchdown pass to make it 23-0. A 23-yard touchdown pass from Rice to Kerry Lathon gave the Centurions a comfortable 29-0 lead at the half.

Cypress held La Quinta to 20 total yards in the first half.