Van Nuys football runs past Fulton to reach City Division III title game

NORTH HILLS — Creative rushing and a fourth-quarter defensive stand powered the Van Nuys football team to victory over Fulton in the CIF Los Angeles City Section playoffs Friday.

Van Nuys won 17-12 in the Division III semifinal, behind big plays from quarterback Carlos Herrera and the Van Nuys defense at Monroe High School.

Herrera scored both touchdowns for the Wolves (8-5), with a rushing score and a smooth touchdown pass in the second half.

The quarterback finished the game with more than 200 yards of total offense.

The win not only takes the Wolves into the CIF championship game but also served as revenge as Van Nuys evened the score with a Fulton team that beat the Wolves 23-14 back in September.

“We were coming here with confidence coming off a hot game at Taft,” Herrera said. “We came in here knowing that they beat us at our house. So we’re just here to get back and get what we wanted. We knew we’re the better team. There were minor mistakes and injuries in our first previous game, so we just came in here confident that we would win.”

The Van Nuys defense allowed little to nothing in the fourth quarter, with a pair of interceptions and a big three-and-out to preserve a lead.

Van Nuys junior Jeremy Moreno snagged the game’s final interception.

“Our defense, they have shown to be unshakable, which is a blessing,“ said Van Nuys coach Randy Luna. “That’s something you can’t teach.”

A pair of runs from senior back Marlon Figueroa behind the offensive line were enough to ice the game and put the Wolves into victory formation.

The game took a turn in the fourth quarter when Fulton senior Issac Danesta suffered a scary injury to the head. The game was delayed for nearly 45 minutes before Danesta was carried off on a stretcher by paramedics. The senior was moving and speaking before being taken from the field.

Van Nuys pounded the ball on the ground throughout the first half thanks to a stout and improved offensive line, a group Herrera felt was the biggest difference between Friday’s battle and the previous game with Fulton.

“I think our offensive line really improved,” Herrera said. “We struggled in the first game running the ball, but this game we just pounded the ball.”

Herrera and Figueroa did most of the heavy lifting with big runs behind the stout Wolves offensive line. The Van Nuys quarterback led two scoring drives in the first half.

“I think our running game has become a lot more versatile,” Luna said. “We’ve been able to control the clock a little better. That’s because our young kids are understanding the concepts of football more and we still have that air attack that can get up there and do some damage.”

Leelen Castro hit a 22-yard field goal to get Van Nuys the game’s first points before Herrera hit Jeremy Rivas for a huge 18-yard touchdown. Rivas was wide open in the end zone over the middle on Herrera’s third pass of the night.

Fulton rallied and capped off the first half with a touchdown drive. Numerous Van Nuys penalties extended the drive but Jaguars quarterback Emmanuel Martinez led a solid scoring drive with his legs and arm.

After a big run on a quarterback keeper, Martinez connected with fellow senior Fredy Colin for a 19-yard touchdown.

Martinez added another score in the fourth quarter with a clutch 5-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal.

Fulton’s inaugural season of 11-man football ended on Friday after a dominant stretch of 8-man football.

Van Nuys will now play for revenge once more as the Wolves will take on the Panorama Pythons, a team that bested them 27-20 earlier this season.

Luna was unsure in the offseason where this team would end up but he knew the group was different.

“We knew that we were special,” Luna said. “There were a lot of special pieces, but as a head coach, what you’re trying to do is just make sure all the pieces fit together right.”

Van Nuys football has endured some tough seasons over the years but now thanks to a talented group and coaching staff.

“It’s all coaching,” Luna said of the program’s growth. “I’m not taking away from the kids, but the coaches here care, because most of the coaches are alumni. They played here. They were there through rough years, and so now they’ve brought their knowledge and their wisdom to our school, and their ability to teach kids and motivate them and inspire them and make them believe in Van Nuys football.”

The Wolves feel they’ve come a long way this season and have earned their spot in the championship game where revenge could be served cold on another chilly night.