Draft’s 3 Scores Spark Valencia Past Charter Oak

PLACENTIA —  For the first half, Valencia did what only one other team accomplished this year against Covina Charter Oak’s defense: reach double figures.

The second half was another story, but Valencia’s defense, combined with a missed Charter Oak field goal, helped the Tigers outlast the Chargers, 28-25, in a Division VI quarterfinal game Friday night.

Valencia, the Division VI defending champion, advances to the semifinals for the eighth time in 10 years. The Tigers (9-3) will play Whittier (11-1).

With 1:59 left in the game, Valencia punter Luis Adrian Garcia had to recover a bad snap from center and was downed by the Charter Oak defense at the Valencia 16-yard line. Quarterback Jesse Jacobs threw two incompletions, then was sacked by Ben Esque and Bryan Cork at the 24-yard line. Justin Duarte’s 40-yard field goal attempt with 48 seconds was short.

Chris Draft scored two of his three touchdowns in the first half to give Valencia a 21-0 lead. Charter Oak was shut out until the final 1:14 of the second quarter when Jesse Jacobs completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Keith Freeman.

Draft (22 carries, 111 yards) scored on a 13-yard pass from Rob Petko, a four-yard run and a one-yard run with 8:36 left in the fourth quarter.

“Valencia just sat and read our offense and executed on defense, Charter Oak Coach Lou Farrar said.

Charter Oak played a 10-man defensive line in the second half which forced Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo to play a conservative game.

“With 10 guys on their line, I didn’t want to take chances with the lead,” Marrujo said.

V--Draft 13 pass from Petko (Garcia kick)

V--Harding 5 pass from Petko (Garcia kick)

V--Draft 4 run (Garcia kick)

CO--Freeman 13 pass Jacobs (Duarte kick)

CO--FG Duarte 25

V--Draft 1 run (Garcia kick)

CO--Hoagland 9 pass from Jacobs (Hoagland pass from Jacobs)

CO--Harris 75 punt return (Duarte kick)

LEADING RUSHERS--CO: Harris 12-44; V: Draft 22-111, Riggins 17-111. LEADING PASSERS--CO: Jacobs 6-20-1, 69; V: Petko 7-13-1, 73. LEADING RECEIVERS--CO: Williamson 2-20; V: Tamblyn 2-24, Draft 2-23, Harding 2-20.

Attendance--2,000