Oct 14, 2006 By Mike Ciarochi 3 min read

MAPLETOWN – It looked like a runaway, became a game, but ended as a blowout win for the California Trojans. On the strength of four Donte Valentino touchdowns, California (4-3 overall, 3-1 in conference games) jumped into a first-place tie with Jefferson-Morgan in the Tri-County South Conference with a 33-14 win over Mapletown (4-3, 2-2) Friday night.

Valentino, back in action after missing action with a concussion, helped stake the Trojans a 20-0 lead with a pair of touchdowns in the first half. His 1-yard score came after a high punt snap was recovered at the Mapletown 1-yard line. His 48-yard scamper in the second quarter came on a fourth-and-1 play.

In the third quarter, Brandon Rossi made it 18-0 with a 1-yard run and Chris McVicker caught a two-point conversion pass from Valentino to make it 20-0.

“I thought we were sloppy on offense,” Trojans coach Joe Kuhns said. “But we took care of business. Their defense was doing things we didn’t expect. We thought they’d be in a 50 front, but they showed us a 40.”

But the Trojans adjusted and appeared on the verge of a lopsided win. But Mapletown’s Nick Popernack returned an interception 34 yards and finished the ensuing drive with an 8-yard touchdown run with 8:42 remaining.

California fumbled on its next possession and Mapletown’s Chad Glover scooped it up in stride and returned it 40 yards for another Maples’ touchdown that made it 20-14 with 7:49 still to play.

“A lot of kids would have quit in that situation, being down 20-0 in the fourth quarter, but our kids kept fighting,” Mapletown coach George Messich said. “They put us in position to win the game and that showed me a lot.”

So, too, did Valentino.

The 5-7, 155-pound junior ran for 62 yards and a touchdown on the Trojans next possession to put California on top, 26-14 with 6:50 remaining. Then, he intercepted a Mapletown pass and took it to the house, too, from 50 yards out, to make it 33-14.

“I had to step up and show some leadership,” Valentino said. “I’m a team captain and my team needed me to make a few plays.”

“He’s a clutch kid,” Kuhns said of Valentino. “He was starting to cramp up, then we gave them two touchdowns and I was getting worried. But he rally came through for us. It’s nice to have him back.”

Valentino missed the second half of one game and two more before returning from a concussion. He also missed last week’s game before returning in a big way against the Maples.

“When they play him at quarterback, it gives you a lot more to worry about,” Messich said. “He’s a tremendous athlete.”

Valentino finished with 182 yards rushing on 16 carries and completed three of seven passes for 48 yards.

“We felt we had to control the ball and control the clock to keep the ball out of Valentino’s hands,” Messich said.

To that end, the Maples held the ball for 10:20 of the first quarter, but to California’s credit, the Trojans led 6-0 after one. The Trojans had no first downs and only one yard of offense to that point.