Anaheim Knocks Valencia Off Orange League Perch

ANAHEIM —  Todd Borowski watched it all begin in 1981, his senior year at Valencia High School.

Valencia’s football team would beat Anaheim, then go on to win or contend for the Orange League title. It became an annual event for 11 seasons.

But there’s a new order in the league this season, as Borowski’s Anaheim team stunned Valencia, 31-0, Friday night at Glover Stadium.

The victory left Anaheim (7-1, 3-0) in sole possession of the league lead and ended an 0-11 drought against Borowski’s alma mater. Valencia (5-3, 2-1) is the defending Southern Section Division VI champion and has been league champion eight of the past nine seasons.

“This was a big test for our program,” said Borowski, who took over an Anaheim team last April that finished 2-8 last season. “The road to the league title goes through these guys (Valencia), Brea-Olinda and Western.

“I’ll enjoy this victory until 8 a.m. (Saturday), when we start preparing for Brea-Olinda.”

Tailback Che Garcia rushed 18 times for 184 yards and two touchdowns and fullback Brian Diaz ran for 123 yards and a touchdown in 19 carries as the Colonists avenged last season’s 43-6 loss to the Tigers.

“Che and Brian ran their butts off,” Borowski said. “This was one of Che’s best games. And Brian was throwing some great blocks out there for him.”

Anaheim raced to a 17-0 halftime lead thanks to some spectacular running by Garcia, who had 125 yards in 12 first-half carries.

Garcia returned the opening kickoff 37 yards, which helped set up a 40-yard field goal by Joel Vasquez.

Anaheim got the ball back at the Valencia 41 after the Tigers were forced to punt out of their end zone.

After a four-yard gain by Brian Diaz, Garcia bolted around the left side for a 37-yard touchdown run that gave the Colonists a 10-0 lead with 5:03 left in the first quarter.

Anaheim got a big break late in the second quarter when a roughing-the-punter penalty on Valencia’s Bill Bradow gave the Colonists a first down at their 40. Four consecutive runs by Garcia netted 45 yards, as the Colonists drove to the Valencia five-yard line.

Phil Covarrubias threw to a wide-open Justin Beltran for a touchdown, pushing Anaheim’s lead to 17-0 with 42 seconds left in the quarter.

Anaheim sealed the victory in the fourth quarter with touchdown runs of 47 yards by Garcia and 46 yards by Diaz.

The Colonists outgained Valencia, 333 yards to 181, and intercepted four passes by Tiger quarterback Rob Petko.

“If we play Valencia again,” Borowski said, “there’s no way we win, 31-0. It was one of those nights where everything went our way.”

Valencia running back Chris Draft, who entered the game with 800 yards and 11 touchdowns, had only 53 yards in 15 carries.