Century Up to Some New Tricks in Victory Over Yucaipa

MISSION VIEJO —  Century High’s football team counted on some trickery on offense and a strong defense in a 35-14 victory over Yucaipa in a Division VIII quarterfinal game at Saddleback College.

Third-seeded Century (7-4-1), in just its third season of varsity football, quickly built a 21-7 lead and held off Yucaipa (8-4). Century won its sixth consecutive game after starting the season 0-3-1.

The Centurions advanced to the semifinals against second-seeded San Marino, a 27-12 winner over Laguna Hills. With Trabuco Hills and Laguna Hills losing Friday night, Century is the only Pacific Coast League team left in the playoffs.

Century Coach Bill Brown couldn’t shed any light on his team’s turnaround.

“I don’t know,” he said. “We just started playing harder? I’d like to give you a great quote, but I just don’t know. We’re the ugly kid at the party, and we’re still getting free food.”

Leading, 14-7, Century took over on the Yucaipa 42-yard line after Joe Gomez recovered a fumble. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Ricky Odoardi handed off to Jose Velasquez, who then tossed the ball back to Stanley Villanueva, who lofted a pass to Odoardi, who was streaking down the right sideline.

The trick play gave Century a 21-7 lead.

“We pulled out our bag of tricks tonight,” Brown said. “It’s playoff time. It’s fun.”

Century, which led, 28-14, at halftime, keyed its defense in the first half on Yucaipa running back Brian Weck, who had 220 yards and four touchdowns in the Thunderbirds’ first-round victory over Santa Monica St. Monica.

Weck finished with 15 carries for 66 yards, but he was thrown out of the game for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Yucaipa’s first drive of the second half. Without Weck, Yucaipa could not move the ball, losing three fumbles and getting intercepted.

C--Gomez 1 run (Bonilla kick)

C--Perez 51 pass from Odoardi (Bonilla kick)

Y--Shoffeitt 3 run (Wahl kick)

C--Odoardi 42 pass from Villanueva (Bonilla kick)

C--Gomez 17 pass from Odoardi (Bonilla kick)

Y--Sales 35 pass from White (Wahl kick)

C--Garcia 15 fumble return (Bonilla kick)

LEADING RUSHERS-- Y: Shoffeitt 11-70; C: Odoardi 7-84. LEADING PASSERS--Y: White 8-13-1, 133; C: Odoardi 3-6-0, 86. LEADING RECEIVERS--Y: Sales 3-68; C: Perez 2-69.

Attendance: 850