Eagles have an Angel on their wings

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There comes a period in the career of every high school standout that they deliver a breakout performance. For Etiwanda sophomore quarterback Angel Santiago, that time was Friday night.

He totaled approximately 420 yards of offense in a 29-26 upset victory against Los Osos in a Baseline League opener. He also threw a pie in the face of anyone who predicted Los Osos (4-2, 0-1) would run away with the league title, including myself.

Etiwanda Coach Stephen Bryce was still adding up the official offensive numbers from the game tape Saturday morning, but through the first half, Santiago had close to 140 yards rushing and 100 yards passing.

‘It was the difference on offense,’ Bryce said.

Etiwanda (3-3, 1-0) had been a big disappointment through the nonleague portion of the schedule, losing to Serrano, Glendora and Chino Hills, but the experience seems to be paying off. Bryce, in his third year, said it was a matter of identifying the right personnel under game conditions.

‘Some kids look good in certain situations, and then they don’t pan out,’ he said. ‘Then there’s getting kids to buy into what I’m doing.’

Bryce has the luxury of having one of the top players in the state in receiver Marvin Jones, who is visiting California this weekend.

Now, it appears he has the other end of the connection.

- Dan Arritt