Johnson Carries Katella Past Ocean View

ANAHEIM — Francis Johnson rushed for 203 yards in nine carries and scored twice--all in the first half--to pace Katella to a 56-20 victory over Ocean View Friday night at Glover Stadium.

“I wore No. 34 last year because of Thurman Thomas and Buffalo’s four Super Bowl appearances,” Johnson said. “This year I switched to No. 22 because of [Dallas’ Emmmit] Smith.”

No matter the number, Ocean View’s defenders couldn’t stop the junior running back.

With Katella leading, 15-0, in the first quarter, Johnson broke loose from Ocean View’s Terrance Jones and raced 69 yards to give the Knights a 22-0 lead with 39 seconds left in the first quarter.

Johnson was at it again with 1:50 left in the first half when he ran 57 yards for a score to give Katella a 36-7 lead.

“I have to give my offensive line all the credit,” Johnson said. “They did an excellent job.”

Steve Gomez also had a productive game for Katella, throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Bob Nita and an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Vasquez.

Roland Rubalcava returned an interception 42 yards for a score and Katella’s Art Tiscareno returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown.

Ocean View was led by Jeremiah Armendariz, who carried 17 times for 93 yards and a touchdown.