Pearsall Is Workhorse in Villa Park’s Victory

BREA — Grant Pearsall capped a 12-play, 60-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run to seal Villa Park’s 34-24 victory over host Brea-Olinda Friday night.

Pearsall, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior, rushed for 155 yards in 24 carries, scoring three touchdowns.

“We are not too fancy in our running game,” Villa Park Coach Pat Mahoney said. “Grant can break one at any time. And he had a good night tonight.”

The Spartans (1-1) jumped out to a 13-0 lead on a 25-yard run by Sean McMahon and an eight-yard sweep by Pearsall.

Brea’s first score came on an eight-yard carry by fullback Casey King in the first quarter. But on Villa Park’s next possession, Pearsall ran for 86 yards on a sweep for Villa Park’s third touchdown early in the second quarter.

Brea (1-1) came back with a 39-yard field goal by Jesse Anderson as the gun sounded to end the first half with Villa Park leading, 21-10.

Brea started the third quarter with 14 points in a row, scoring on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Paul Chiotti to Sean Bickel and then a five-yard run by Bickel, giving the Wildcats a brief lead.

But Villa Park came back from the 24-21 deficit with quarterback A.J. Strapp scoring on a 58-yard keeper.