PREP FOOTBALL : Savanna Uses 2 Kick Returns to Run Past Garden Grove

Savanna High School, taking advantage of two long kick returns early in the first half, built a 14-0 lead and held on to defeat Garden Grove, 22-14, Friday night in the season opener for both schools at Garden Grove High.

Rebels wide receiver Stephen Wagner returned the opening kickoff 67 yards. Six plays later Stacy Strozier scored on a 3-yard run, the conversion failed. Savanna held Garden Grove on the next series, and wide receiver Artis Williams returned the Argonaut punt 61 yards for a touchdown. Strozier ran for the two-point conversion, the first of two. Strozier led all rushers with 108 yards in 20 carries.

Garden Grove, which rushed for 175 yards, got back into the game when Argo quarterback Mike Moore hit tight end Jason Seibel on a 30-yard scoring strike, cutting Savanna’s lead to 14-6 in the second period.

But the Rebels scored again before the half ended on a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tony Osendorf to wide receiver Bill Garcia.