Johnson’s Time Is Limited, but Not His Yardage

If Katella running back Francis Johnson is ever permitted to play more than one half, his numbers might be staggering. Friday night, the junior rushed for 122 yards in nine carries and scored three first-half touchdowns to lead the Knights to a 42-18 nonleague victory over La Quinta at Bolsa Grande High.

Johnson, who rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns in Katella’s victory last week, scored three times Friday on runs of 26, 34 and 26 yards in the first half, and had one 48-yard touchdown called back because of a penalty. For the season, Johnson has accumulated 325 yards in 18 carries and scored five touchdowns.

Katella (2-0) also got help from wide receiver Bob Nita, who scored on a 72-yard pass from quarterback Stevie Gomez, and two kickoff returns for touchdowns, one of 85 yards by Arthur Tiscareno to open the second half and an 86-yard return by Chris Walters.

La Quinta (0-2) running back Hai Duyen Nguyen rushed for 181 yards and one touchdown in 33 carries. The Aztecs’ last two scores came in the fourth quarter on touchdown runs of one and four yards by Missiona Faamausili (82 yards in 10 carries).

La Quinta’s Thi Huyhn completed 10 of 20 passes with one interception for 159 yards. The Aztecs’ Ben Fredrickson caught a game-high six passes for 90 yards.