Magnolia Edges Valencia on Boxley’s Late Touchdown

Wesley Boxley sat on the bench last week. “I didn’t play last week,” Boxley said, “because coach didn’t have confidence in me. “

Wonder what kind of confidence Magnolia Coach Bill Friedrich has now?

Boxley ran for a two-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left to give Magnolia a 19-17 victory over Valencia Thursday night in an Orange League game at Glover Stadium.

“I told coach,” Boxley said, “ ‘I can do this. I can get it in the end zone.’ ”

It didn’t look as if Magnolia (4-3, 1-1 in league) would be in a position for heroics, because the Sentinels trailed 17-7, with 7 minutes 24 seconds left in the game.

Magnolia then went on an 87-yard drive, twice converting fourth-down situations.

Will Speer ran eight yards for a first down on one fourth-down play. Then on fourth and eight, quarterback Anthony Zaragoza scrambled and found Joe Camarillo for a 70-yard touchdown pass play.

Magnolia still trailed 17-13 with 3:30 remaining, but on Valencia’s second play, Julian Gomez fumbled and Magnolia’s Eric Freund recovered.

Then on third and seven from the 50, Zaragoza hit Freund with a 41-yard pass to the Valencia nine-yard line.

Three plays later, Boxley had his moment.

Gomez rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns in 18 carries for Valencia (4-3, 1-1).