Florida’s Defense Keys Win

All-star football games often materialize into nothing more than quarterback showcases. The 5th CaliFlorida Bowl could have been called the “Cornerback Classic.”

The Florida all-stars intercepted five passes -- returning two for touchdowns -- in a 24-22 victory over California before a crowd estimated at 3,000 on Friday night at Moorpark College.

Each of California’s three quarterbacks had at least one pass intercepted and two of Florida’s three quarterbacks committed a turnover in a game plagued by drizzle and slick field conditions.

“We were seeing the field well on defense,” Florida Coach Dave Wilson said. “We put pressure on them and made them [throw] off their back feet.”

Florida trailed, 16-3, at halftime and was unable to sustain an offensive drive. Then its defense took over.

Cornerback J.R. Bryant intercepted a Beau Davis pass and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. Florida converted another interception into a 20-yard touchdown pass from Brent Schaeffer to Keith Brown for its first lead, 17-16.

With 11 minutes to play, Brandon Siler came up with his second interception and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown to give Florida a 24-16 lead. “I thought I was going to return the first one,” Siler said. “I was angry. On the second one I knew I would score.”

California drew within 24-22 on a one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter by Marshawr Lynch, but the conversion run was stopped by Florida, which took a 3-2 lead in the series.

California’s Nate Longshore led all passers with 133 yards on nine-for-18 passing. California took control with second-quarter scoring passes of 22 yards from Davis to Marty Tadman and 14 yards from Rudy Carpenter to Lavelle Hawkins.

-- Elia Powers

Eric Johnson, who headed Fountain Valley’s football program for five seasons, has resigned for personal reasons.

“I just feel like taking a year off, see how I feel,” said Johnson, whose team beat No. 1 Los Alamitos this season and reached the Division I quarterfinals. “I’ll take some classes for my masters.”