LA HABRA — With the game tied late in the fourth quarter, La Habra defensive end Ulavai Fetuli was determined to impact the outcome for his team.
Fetuli came off the edge and sacked Crean Lutheran quarterback Dylan D’Epifanio in the end zone to record a safety for the go-ahead points that were ultimately the deciding points in La Habra’s 15-13 victory on Friday night.
“What a great moment for him to be the hero, he’s such a good player and a great kid,” La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta said.
Crean Lutheran wide reciever Ben Byszewski is tackled by La Habra defenders in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
La Habra running back Kevika Martinez, number 4, gains yardage with the help of offensive lineman Noah Morales, 52, as they battle Crean Lutheran in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Crean Lutheran running back Archer C’de baca is congratulated by hos team mates after scoring a touchdown against La Habra in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Crean Lutheran wide reciever Drew Deese pulls in a pass against La Habra in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Crean Lutheran wide reciever Dillon Booth dances to stay in bounds as he gains yards againstv La Habra in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
La Habra defensive back Gabriel Jimenez, right, intercepts a pass meant for Crean Lutheran wide receiver Dillon Booth, far left, in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
La Habra running back Kevika Martinez is tackled by Crean Lutheran defenders Javari Nash, left, and Anthony Jones, right in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
La Habra quarterback DJ Mitchell, number 1, feels around for the football after a bad snap in an Epsilon League game against Crean Lutheran at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Crean Lutheran quarterback Dylan D’epifanio is sacked in the end zone for a safety by La Habra in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Fans in the La Habra stands wave black balloons during their game against Crean Lutheran in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
A Crean Lutheran fan yells encouragement from the stands as the Saints took on La Habra in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
La Habra running back Kevika Martinez celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Crean Lutheran in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Crean Lutheran head coach Rick Curtis exchanges words with one of the officials during Friday’s game with La Habra in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
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Crean Lutheran wide reciever Ben Byszewski is tackled by La Habra defenders in an Epsilon League game at La Habra High in La Habra on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
The Highlanders (7-1, 3-0) have won seven consecutive games and are now sitting alone atop the Epsilon League standings.
The Saints led 13-7 going into the fourth quarter but were unable to pull away, leaving the door open for a La Habra comeback.
Bobby Brooks provided a much-needed spark to the Highlanders’ rushing attack. Brooks carried the ball six straight times in the game-tying drive that was capped by a 6-yard TD run by Kevika Martinez.
The point-after attempt by Christian Ramirez hit the upright and the game remained tied.
“We just kept fighting and that’s how football is, you keep fighting and you keep battling and at some point you might wear a team down,” Mazzotta said.
“Number 5 (Brooks) came in at the end and he really ran hard,” Crean Lutheran coach Rick Curtis said. “He had fresh legs and that was a good call for them.”
After the Highlanders took the lead from the safety, they got the ball back and needed a few first downs before completely sealing the victory.
With the Highlanders facing fourth-and 2 from their own 18, quarterback Kenny Saucedo turned the corner and gained 15 yards on a keeper.
La Habra’s Ulavai Fetuli had a sack in the fourth quarter that gave his team a 15-13 victory over Crean Lutheran on Friday, Oct. 18. (Photo by David Delgado)
The decision to go for it deep in their own territory instead of punting the ball away was risky, Mazzotta admitted, but it paid off.
“Just being crazy (there), but we were trying to win the game,” he said
Saucedo moved the chains one final time on a play that ended up going for 22 yards thanks to the Highlanders linemen continuing to push the pile forward.
After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Saints scored on their opening drive with a 12-yard run by Archer C’de Baca to take a 6-0 lead after a missed extra-point.
The Highlanders responded with a DJ Mitchell-led drive as the sophomore signal-caller used his legs and his arm, connecting Fetuli for a 16-yard completion before finding tight end Noah Holm for a 4-yard TD reception to give La Habra a 7-6 advantage.
Crean Lutheran retook the lead with a 8-yard TD catch by Dillon Booth on a nice ball in the back of the end zone by D’Epifanio.
Saucedo and the Highlanders went downfield looking to go ahead before halftime but the Saints defense came up with the critical goal line stand stopping Saucedo on fourth and goal from the 7-yard line.
