PREP FOOTBALL : Sea View League : Big First Half Enough for Saddleback

Saddleback High School running back Glenn Campbell broke free for a 53-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage in Thursday night’s Sea View League game against Laguna Beach at Davidson Field. Two plays later, the Roadrunners were celebrating a touchdown that marked the beginning of a 12-minute waltz; a first quarter in which every step was pure Fred and Ginger.

By the time it was over, Saddleback had a 21-0 lead. It was 35-0 at halftime, and the Roadrunners were able to go through enough motions in the second half to hold on for a 42-20 victory in a regular-season finale witnessed by 800 chilled spectators.

Saddleback finishes the regular season at 6-1 in league play and 9-1 overall. Laguna Beach is 3-4, 3-7 overall. That record includes three games the Artists were forced to forfeit for using an ineligible player.

Saddleback had 199 yards in total offense in the first half, 147 of which came in a first quarter in which the Roadrunners scored three of the four times they got the ball. Quarterback Myron Butler’s first two passes went for touchdowns. The first was a 15-yarder to Danny Ontiveros that came 1:04 into the game. Ontiveros went on to score on a 19-yard run on a reverse and a 64-yard reception, the latter of which accounted for the game’s final score.

In between, Saddleback Coach Jerry Witte’s biggest problem was keeping his team motivated. It was a little tough for the Roadrunners to get excited about leaving a warm locker room to come out and play the second half.

“We didn’t execute that well in the second half,” Witte said. “I think the kids were just waiting for the game to get over. It’s hard to keep the momentum when you’re up by 35 at halftime.”

Campbell had a 47-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and finished with 150 yards in 14 carries. Butler connected with Joe Deal for a 49-yard scoring pass and finished the game 5 of 7 for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Saddleback defensive end Nick Santa Cruz provided the most bizarre play of the game, a 63-yard touchdown run after forcing and recovering a Laguna Beach fumble. Santa Cruz broke through the Laguna Beach line just as quarterback John Kimball was about to receive a pitch on an attempted flea flicker. Santa Cruz tipped the ball from Kimball, scooped it up, and raced to the end zone for the score that gave the Roadrunners a 28-0 lead with 10:41 left in the first half.

Laguna Beach, behind running back John Lana (9 carries, 165 yards, 2 touchdowns), put together a mild comeback in the second half. Artist Coach Cedrick Hardman said he was reasonably pleased with a season that, if not for the forfeits, was one of the biggest about-faces of any Orange County team. Those three victories would have given Laguna Beach a 6-4 record, after a 3-7 mark last season.

“This was a difficult season ... different from any I’ve ever encountered,” Hardman said. “I’m not dissatisfied.” Sadd--Ontiveros 15 pass from Butler (Maxwell kick)

Sadd--Deal 25 pass from Butler (Maxwell kick)

Sadd--Ontiveros 19 run (Maxwell kick)

Sadd--Santa Cruz 63 run with fumble recovery (Maxwell kick)

Sadd--Campbell 47 run (Maxwell kick)

Sadd--Lana 93 run (Vickers kick)

Sadd--Lana 21 run (Vickers kick)

LB--Cummings 21 pass from Kimball (kick failed)

Sadd--Ontiveros 64 pass from Campbell (Maxwell kick)

Attendance--800