PHOTOS: Katella holds on and goes to semifinals with 22-17 win over Segerstrom

Katella quarterback Pharrell Scorza heads into the end zone evading a tackle by Segerstrom’s Nathan Tagaloa. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Both teams entered the game with 10-1 records, so Friday’s CIF Division 10 quarterfinal playoff game between Katella and Segerstrom looked like it would go down to the wire.

It did just that.

In the end, Katella made the big plays when it had to taking advantage of five turnovers by Segerstrom to record a 22-17 victory at Segerstrom and move on to the semifinals next weekend against top-seeded Crescenta Valley.

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It was an early birthday present for Katella Coach Fred DiPalma. His players sang him happy birthday after the game. Di Palma’s birthday is actually Saturday, but he was happy to celebrate it a little early.

“This is a very good football team and our defense was amazing,” DiPalma said. “I told you the turnover margin was going to make the difference and our secondary and our defense just played lights out.

“On offense we played good enough to seal the victory but the defense was amazing. I’m very proud of those kids.”

Katella recorded five interceptions, four off of Segerstrom quarterback Angel Vega.

“I’m disappointed, obviously,” said Segerstrom Coach Joseph Tagaloa. “We did not play our best football tonight and that was evident by the turnovers that we had. But that type of performance is frustrating because I know we’re a better team than what we showed tonight. But hats off to Katella, they got it done tonight and I wish them the best of luck.”

Daniel Sifuentes picked off two passes and Al Alegre, Aaron Rogers and Ledell Stark had one each.

Quarterback Pharell Scorza led the Knights’ offense with touchdown runs of 11 in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth quarter and Jailen Berry had a 62-yard TD run and rushed for 129 yards.

“It all started from our O-line on offense just dominating and getting their blocks right so we could put points up,” Scorza said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are right now and then it comes to our receivers and running backs doing their job and catching the ball and getting yards and our defense just doing what they do all the time, getting us the ball to put points up on the board and special teams always give us good starts on the field.”

Segerstrom (10-2) lost its starting kicker/punter Anthony Gomez with an ankle injury late in the first half and it hurt the Jaguars in the second half, limiting their offensive flexibility. Gomez is also one of the team’s top receivers.

Segerstrom had to use a back-up punter in the second half and a botched play on a punt allowed Katella to take over on the Jaguars’ 14-yard line. Scorza then scampered in with the go-ahead score.

“As our kicker, it was unfortunate, but he’s also our starting receiver and not having him to be able to run routes hurt,” Tagaloa said. “It made a huge impact on what we were able to do, especially with special teams. He’s a guy you don’t realize how important he is until he was out and we were scrambling. But he will be back, he’s only a junior and will get another chance to be out here.”

Gomez gave Segerstrom an early 3-0 lead with a 27-yard field goal. Andrew Schouw had a phenomental game hauling in touchdown catches of 11 and 46 yards for the other Jaguar scores from Vega, who passed for 97 yards.

Segerstrom got the ball back with under a minute remaining but Stark intercepted a pass at the Knights 19-yard line.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com