Littlerock Knocks Off Highland for First Time in 5 Tries

The Littlerock High football team--and especially senior John Venema--could not bear the thought of another loss to Highland.

After watching Highland run over, under and around Littlerock four times in as many games, Venema decided Friday was pay-back time. So Venema ran around, under and over Highland defenders for three touchdowns in the second half to lead the Lobos to a 33-6 rout in a Golden League game at Palmdale High.

Littlerock (6-2, 2-1 in league play) came into the contest averaging better than 250 yards rushing per game--a league best. Against Highland, the Lobos rolled for 442 yards on the ground.

“We did what we do best,” Littlerock Coach Jim Bauer said. “Run the football.”

Venema, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound fullback, rushed for season-high 197 yards in 28 carries and scored on runs of one, 21 and 31 yards. Sophomore tailback Bryan Wilkins added 141 yards in 17 carries and quarterback Mitch Casey ran for 100 yards in 11 carries to drop Highland to 5-3, 1-2.

Both schools opened with just a freshman class in 1989 and are considered sister-school rivals because they opened the same year. In two meetings as freshmen, Highland outscored the Lobos, 78-6.

The Lobos’ victory Friday night helped ease the pain of their four previous losses. Even the fans, who poured on to the field in a frenzy at game’s end, looked as though a burden had been taken off their shoulders.

“Our kids have worked real hard to get to this game--the seniors especially,” Bauer said.

Littlerock dominated from the start, but hurt itself with penalties and mistakes on its first two drives, driving to the Highland 16 and the one before stalling.

Highland opened the scoring after the second of Littlerock’s long drives sputtered. Jeff Tyler connected with Jim Reel for 15 yards on a key third-and-10 play to keep the drive alive. In all, the 99-yard march took 19 plays and was capped by Tyler’s three-yard keeper around the right tackle for a 6-0 lead with 2:09 to go in the first half.

Littlerock responded with a spectacular two-minute offense. The Lobos went 75 yards in 13 plays--all of which quarterback Mitch Casey had a hand in. He connected on seven of 10 passes for 50 yards and rushed for 25. His five-yard touchdown strike to Ronnie Blair tied it, 6-6.

Littlerock scored on its first three possessions of the second half to take a 26-6 lead.