Savanna’s Shine Sets a Record in 27-0 Victory

Eric Shine scored two long touchdowns, including a school-record 96-yard run, and the Savanna defense didn’t give up a point for the second consecutive game as the Rebels defeated Katella, 27-0, Thursday night at Glover Stadium.

The Knights were threatening to score late in the first half when Leon Kellum intercepted a pass from John Baldridge on the Rebel four. On the first play after the interception, Shine swept to the left side, faked out one defender and broke loose for a 96-yard touchdown run, giving the Rebels a 21-0 lead with 1 minute 11 seconds left in the first half. The run surpassed the 1989 record of 94 yards by Leon Landry against Brea Olinda.

Shine scored the first Rebel touchdown on a 50-yard punt return.

Savanna (1-1) increased its lead to 14-0 on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Warden to Eric Stripes with 4:59 left in the first half.

The Knights (0-2) followed by putting together their best drive of the game, led by a 36-yard pass from Baldridge to Josh Welton, but their efforts to trim the lead ended with Kellum’s interception.

Savanna, which lost 8-6 last week to Kennedy after an interception return for a touchdown spoiled a strong defensive effort, was stingier against Katella. The Knights accounted for 97 yards.

Katella had one bright spot, a 37-yard-per-punt average by Welton.

Brandon Bird caught a 30-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to complete the Rebel scoring.