La Habra Rallies in Fourth to Eliminate University

La Habra High School scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat University, 35-27, in a Southern Section Central Conference football playoff opener Friday at La Habra.

The Highlanders, who trailed, 27-7, after three quarters went ahead 28-27 on a three-yard touchdown run by Kevin Capps with 1:23 left.

La Habra (7-3) got an insurance score when Mike Segovia intercepted a pass by Jeff Bailey and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown with 34 seconds remaining.

Quarterback Matt Shackelford, who completed 22 of 34 passes for 281 yards, threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Eric Zimmerman with 5:36 left to cut University’s lead to 27-21.

Shackelford’s five-yard pass to Linton Weatherspoon with 10:37 left started the rally and made it, 27-13.

University (6-5) had taken a 27-7 lead on an 11-yard run by Craig Belle midway through the third quarter and appeared on its way to an upset.

The Trojans took the early lead on a 21-yard pass play from Bailey to Craig Allton in the first quarter.

Allton also scored the next University touchdown when he recovered a fumble in the end zone following a 10-yard completion to teammate John Oakson with 1:25 left in the half.

The Highlanders got their first score when Shackelford connected with Jaime Delgadillo on an eight-yard scoring play with 17 seconds left in the half.