Esperanza Runs to Victory

There’s nothing tricky about Anaheim Esperanza. There’s Rocky Taloa, Charles Neal and an offensive line to die for.

The Aztecs relied on the status quo Saturday to beat Anaheim Servite, 31-21, in a Southern Section Division I semifinal at Santa Ana Stadium.

Esperanza will play for its first Division I championship at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson against Los Angeles Loyola, winner of the 2003 Division I title. Esperanza’s last appearance in a final was in 1992, when it tied Los Alamitos, 14-14, in Division II.

Averaging 400 yards rushing a game, Esperanza (11-2) overcame a tough first half in which it trailed, 14-9, and gained only 117 yards. But the Aztecs kept pounding away at Servite (9-4) and finished with 342 yards, all on the ground.

Taloa carried 32 times for 196 yards, giving him more than 2,100 for the season, and scored three touchdowns. Neal carried 17 times for 103 yards, giving him more than 1,300, and scored on a two-point conversion.

Neal delivered the play of the game for Esperanza. After Servite took a 21-17 lead on Dennis Shoemate’s 18-yard run midway through the third quarter, Neal returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and a 24-21 lead.

The Aztecs’ offensive line, led by senior Joe Hawley, was in typically fine form. Esperanza scored on a 13-play, 80-yard drive on its first possession, on a 10-play, 80-yard drive to open the second half, and on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that yielded the night’s final score with 8 minutes 39 seconds left.