Errors Cost Magnolia in 21-20 Loss to California

WHITTIER — After Magnolia football Coach Bill Friedrich had congratulated the last California player, he turned and said, “Errors.”

California (2-2) turned a fumble and an interception into scores as the Condors held on to beat Magnolia, 21-20, Friday night at California High.

With Magnolia (1-3) trailing, 7-0, Sentinels’ Tony Iliescu scored on a three-yard run in the second quarter, but the conversion pass failed.

California’s Art Saavedra returned a Jesse Elizalde fumble 16 yards to the Magnolia 21-yard line.

Condors’ quarterback David Baruch scored two plays later from three yards for his second touchdown.

Magnolia came back to tie the score at halftime, 14-14, on Elizalde’s four-yard run and Robert Nicols’ conversion run.

Elizalde rushed for 75 yards in 14 carries and caught two passes for 25 yards.

Brian Schafer intercepted a Nicols pass to set up California’s final score. But the Sentinels cut the lead to one point on Sean Roy’s two-yard run.

Roy’s conversion run failed.

Asked if the two-point plays were planned, Friedrich said, “You bet.”

“We were miserable last week trying to kick conversions,” Friedrich said.