For Santa Ana, Dreams Come True : Fanti Causes Newport Harbor to Suffer Nightmares, 29-6

No more Sominex for Rich Fanti.

The Santa Ana High School football player had insomnia Thursday, the night before playing his first varsity game at quarterback.

But there’s nothing like running for two touchdowns, passing for two more and completing two passes for extra points to make you sleep like a baby.

Fanti had a hand in all but one of Santa Ana’s 29 points as the Saints routed Newport Harbor, 29-6, at Santa Ana Stadium Friday night.

He was also responsible for a case of numb lips in the horn section of the Santa Ana band, which customarily plays “When the Saints Go Marching In” after every touchdown.

Fanti had led the Saint freshman team to an undefeated season in 1983, but he only played a few games at safety last season before having to hang up his cleats due to academically ineligibility.

His return to the football field was not immediately cloaked in glory Friday.

He opened the game looking jittery, missing his receivers by wide margins on four passes before finally connecting for five yards to Royal Wilbon midway through the second quarter. Then he got sacked twice in a row by Sailors Kirk Smith and Eric Trost.

It soon became apparent, however, that Fanti’s primary talent was more in his feet than his arm. The Sailors seldom caught him behind the line of scrimmage with the ball again. His speed and ability to slalom around defenders repeatedly turned broken plays into big gains. He rushed for 67 yards on 11 carries, including the sacks.

Fanti said: “It was a great start for us. It’s just what I was dreaming about. I couldn’t even sleep last night. I was thinking: ‘Will I throw an interception? Will I get sacked?’ ”

The Sailors’ only offense came in the form of a pair of first-half field goals (27 and 34 yards) by Sterling Coberly.

Santa Ana took control for good late in the second quarter when Loo Leausa blocked a punt by Chris Hall, and the Saints recovered on the 23. One play later, Fanti, who finished with 5 completions in 14 attempts for 63 yards, found Efrain Islas for a 26-yard touchdown. His pass to Robert Lee gave the Saints a 14-6 halftime advantage and they never relinquished the lead.

Lee, the Saints’ talented running back who was second in the Century League in rushing last season as a sophomore, missed most of the game’s second half with a leg cramp, but his team rose to the occasion in his absence. Lee left after gaining just 47 yards on 12 carries, thanks to the full attention of the Newport Harbor defense.

In the third quarter, Fanti scored again on a one-yard run and a 13-yard pass to Darrell Bailey. Santa Ana basketball star Bobby Joyce was also impressive in his first varsity football game, intercepting two passes and making his first extra-point kick.