PREP FOOTBALL : Saddleback Passes Up Newport Harbor

After a 1-4 start, Saddleback High School got itself untracked in its Sea View League opener by defeating Newport Harbor, 28-14, Thursday night in front of 1,500 at Santa Ana Stadium.

Saddleback (2-4, 1-0) scored 14 fourth-quarter points in a span of 2:36 late in the game to earn the victory. Newport Harbor is 1-5, 0-1.

With the scored tied at 14-14, the Roadrunners scored on an 8-yard scoring pass from quarterback Jeff Blanco to wide receiver Juan Acuna with just over 3 minutes remaining in the game.

Newport Harbor failed on its next possession when quarterback Tim Newberry was hit hard inside the Sailor 15-yard line and fumbled. Saddleback defensive end Sal Tinajero recovered the ball at the 12 and scampered in for the touchdown to seal the victory for the Roadrunners.

Acuna had earlier tied the game, 14-14, with a nifty 10-yard catch in the end zone from Blanco with just under a minute to play in the third quarter. Acuna caught 7 passes for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns.