Santa Ana Dominates Dominguez, 28-14

Junior tailback Robert Lee ignited a 22-point explosion in the first quarter to lead defending Southern Conference champion Santa Ana High School to a 28-14 victory over Dominguez Friday night in the opening round of the conference playoffs at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Saints scored the first three times they had the ball, and although Dominguez tried to bounce back in the second half, it couldn’t overcome Santa Ana’s quick start.

Santa Ana is now 10-1 and has won the last nine straight. The Dons finished with a 6-3-2 record.

Lee, who gained 188 of his 248 total yards in the first half, scored on touchdown runs of 18 and 67 yards in the first quarter. He also returned the opening kickoff 56 yards which set up Santa Ana’s first touchdown. Lee’s 248 yards came in 27 carries.

Five plays after Lee’s kickoff return, Santa Ana took a 7-0 lead when quarterback Richard Santi hit wide receiver Bobby Joyce with a 25-yard touchdown pass.

Defensive back George Tuioti then intercepted a Dominguez pass on the next series and four plays later Lee scored from 18 yards out for a 14-0 Saints lead. On the Saints’ next possession, Lee broke free for his 67-yard scoring run and Efrain Islas ran over a two-point conversion, giving Santa Ana a 22-0 advantage.

Dominguez dominated the third quarter, running off 18 plays to Santa Ana’s six, and first scored when quarterback Trendel Williams hit Avery Moore with a 27-yard touchdown pass and wide receiver Lawrence Diggins caught a two-point conversion toss from Williams.