HUNTINGTON BEACH — The Edison football team came out and delivered the metaphorical punch in the mouth in a 32-21 victory against La Serna in a nonleague game Friday at Huntington Beach High School.
Running back Julius Gillick, Edison’s No. 1 weapon, scored three early touchdowns, giving the Chargers a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter.
But the second half was a bit more of a struggle.
Gillick scored on runs of 30 and 27 yards and then caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Sam Thompson, who was filling in for starting quarterback Savelio Niumata, who was sidelined with an injury.
Edison coach Jeff Grady said Niumata would likely be back in action for next week’s nonleague game against Helix.
“I’m very optimistic,” Grady said.
The Chargers (3-2) didn’t seem to be at a disadvantage with Thompson, who completed 12 of 19 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, while Gillick rushed for 155 yards on 17 carries.
“I didn’t know for sure of his status,” Thompson said of Niumata. “But I knew I had to be ready.”
Edison’s Jerimiah Ross made a tackle in the end zone for a safety and the Chargers then added a touchdown on a 27-yard connection between Thompson and Jake Minter to take a 29-0 lead.
But after Mintor’s touchdown, the Lancers (3-3) prevented the Chargers from getting to the end zone again and their only points in the second half came on a 32-yard field from Nico Bammer in the fourth quarter.
Except for giving up two late touchdowns, the Chargers defense played well enough to prevent a comeback by the Lancers, the defending CIF Division 2AA state champions and CIF SS Division 4 champions.
“It started out well,” Grady said. “They were a tough team in the second half. They were defending CIF and State championship for a reason. They were tough.”
Edison running back Julius Gillick rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 13-yard touchdown pass in a 32-21 victory over La Serna on Friday, Sept. 27. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)
La Serna received the second half kickoff and put together a 15-play, 71-yard drive, taking just under 10 minutes off the clock.
The Lancers drove to the Edison 6 but turned the ball over on downs on a fourth-down incompletion.
La Serna’s two fourth-quarter touchdowns came on a 30-yard pass from Jordan Bonilla to Kaimana Tufaga with 4:34 remaining and then a 1-yard touchdown run from Daniel Moreno with 56 seconds left.
“I like finishing games,” Grady said. “I don’t feel like we finished the game the way we wanted to finish the game.”
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