Estancia Win Is Muy Valbuena

Estancia quarterback Kenny Valbuena rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winner late in the fourth quarter, to lead the Eagles to a 17-13 victory over Aliso Niguel Friday at Newport Harbor High.

Valbuena also completed eight of 11 passes for 126 yards, including three in a row during the final drive.

Aliso Niguel (0-2) took a 13-10 lead with 3 minutes 11 seconds left in the game on a 49-yard screen pass from Bryce Latimer to Brandon Alconcel. But the Eagles (2-0), who dominated the statistics, mounted one more drive.

Starting at the Estancia 20, Kenny Valbuena hit twin brother Danny Valbuena with a 45-yard completion to the Wolverine 35. Two more completions and a seven-yard run by Andy Romo gave Estancia the ball at the 13.

Kenny Valbuena rolled right, but found no one, then headed for the end zone. He slammed his way in with 1:43 left.

Aliso Viejo drove to the Estancia 37, but from there Estancia’s defense limited the Wolverines to three incomplete passes and a completion for a two-yard loss.

The victory was especially sweet for Estancia Coach Dave Perkins, considering his team frequently was a doormat for the Wolverines when both teams played in the Pacific Coast League. Aliso Niguel has since moved to the Sea View League.

“They used to just kick our butts,” Perkins said. “But we knew if we could knock them off the ball, they were a different team, and we did that in the second half.”

Actually, the Eagles knocked Aliso Niguel around for most of the game, but had trouble getting into the end zone. Estancia pounded out 253 yards on the ground with Romo and Fahad Jahid combining for 191.