Prep football: No. 1 Clovis needs second-half rally to beat Stockdale

Top-ranked Clovis High, down 14 points late in the third, used the passing combination of Sean Kuenzinger and J.J. Wills and an electrifying punt return by Coltin Velasquez to rally past Stockdale 49-42 in a nonleague game Friday night at Lamonica Stadium.

The No. 16 Mustangs of the Southwest Yosemite League led 35-21 lead with 3 minutes, 25 seconds remaining in the third after a 31-yard pass from Anthony Onsurez to Elisha Ortiz on fourth-and-5.

Then the reversal of the night, and it unfolded in a four-play sequence.

Stockdale, two plays following a fumble recovery, appeared to make it 41-21 on a 58-yard run by Ortiz. But it was nullified by a holding penalty.

Clovis safety Dyllon Hudec intercepted Onsurez on the next play.

And, three plays later, Wills – son of former Hanford great running back Shawn Wills – executed a slant route from the right side on third-and-8, Kuenzinger found him with a laser for a 50-yard score and the Cougars reduced the deficit to 35-28 with 1:33 left in the third.

Stockdale then went three-and-out, punted and Velasquez – already with two TD receptions – calmly, sensationally weaved his way 56 yards down the left sideline for the score.

Trey Lake snagged a high snap, placed it down and Jesse Linegar kicked the PAT to tie it, 35-35, 25 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Clovis (4-0), also ranked No. 21 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, then bolted to a 49-35 lead on Kuenzinger-to-Wills connections of 16 and 52 yards.

Kuenzinger, on actually far from his best night, completed 16 of 30 passes for 326 yards and five TDs – increasing his season total to 15 against only one interception.

Stockdale (1-2) received 254 yards and three TDs passing from Onsurez and a marvelous night from Ortiz.

Exceptional in the open field, the junior carried 19 times for 100 yards and two scores and caught three passes for 54 yards and the TD.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 10:57 PM with the headline "Prep football: No. 1 Clovis needs second-half rally to beat Stockdale."