Valencia Runs Out of Gas in the Second Half

Valencia High had the lead and the momentum at halftime Friday. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they didn’t have a finishing kick.

Peninsula scored 15 consecutive points in the second half to rally for 25-21 nonleague victory at Peninsula.

Blake Paullin caught a 29-yard pass from Eric Meissner with 7:17 to play for the winning touchdown.

“I told them at halftime the game was ours,” Coach Tony Uruburu of Peninsula said of his players. “Our kids were in better shape than they were.”

Coach Brian Stiman of Valencia couldn’t disagree.

“He’s probably right,” Stiman said. “It’s a hard pill for me to swallow.”

Valencia (1-1) wilted after taking a 21-10 lead in the first half. The Vikings took a 14-0 lead on touchdown runs of one yard by Edwin Weathersby and two yards by Marc Stockland.

Both scores were set up by Peninsula turnovers. Danny Pina recovered a fumble at the Peninsula 26-yard line and Colin Carey returned an interception 15 yards to the Peninsula 12.

A 49-yard touchdown pass play from Kyle Bauer to Will Broadous gave Valencia a 21-7 lead with 1:52 left in the first half.

The Vikings threatened to extend their lead on the opening possession of the second half, driving 74 yards in 17 plays to the Peninsula six. But after a five-yard penalty, Bauer’s pass on fourth and nine was incomplete.

Peninsula (2-0) responded by scoring on a 58-yard pass play from Meissner to Chris Beal late in the third quarter. A two-point conversion pulled the Panthers to within 21-18.

After Peninsula took the lead, Valencia lineman Kaelen Jakes recovered a fumble by Meissner at the Viking nine with 2:48 to play. But Valencia’s final possession ended at its 32 when Broadous lost a fumble with 2:07 left.

Bauer completed 15 of 28 passes for 193 yards.