SEA VIEW LEAGUE : Gonzales Gets Offensive as Newport Harbor Defeats Saddleback

It became evident to Steve Gonzales early Friday night that his role in Newport Harbor’s game against Saddleback would be expanded.

By leaps and bounds. Gonzales’ contributions, including those of the scoring variety, enabled seventh-ranked Newport Harbor to escape with a 21-17 Sea View League victory.

When running back Wade Tift, who was averaging 5.2 yards per carry entering the game, left midway through the first quarter because of a shoulder injury, Gonzales was called on to run the ball more than usual. This, in addition to his role at linebacker.

“With Wade going out and me having to play both ways, I knew it was going to be tough,” Gonzales said with an ear-to-ear grin. “During halftime, I had to prepare (for the rest of the game). The first half was a killer, but coach gave us a talk. It fired us up.”

Saddleback was sporting a 17-14 halftime lead, which it held through the scoreless third quarter.

But on the Sailors’ second possession in the fourth quarter, Gonzales ran three yards up the middle to score the winning touchdown with 4 minutes 36 seconds remaining. The drive was as exasperating for Saddleback as it was exciting for Newport Harbor.

Saddleback Coach Jerry Witte was especially tormented by a pass interference penalty that gave the Sailors an automatic first down on the Roadrunners’ 15-yard line.

“Everyone in the stands knew it was a bad call,” Witte said. “These two teams played their hearts out; you hate to see it come down to that.”

Actually, the penalty was only one of a string of fouls during the drive. On first and goal at the three, an apparent touchdown run by Gonzales was called back because of a holding penalty against the Sailors.

Two plays later, Saddleback was slapped with a face-mask penalty, giving Newport Harbor a second and goal from the six. Gonzales ran three yards to the three, quarterback Ryan Smith threw an incomplete pass, and on fourth and goal, Gonzales went straight up the middle to score.

But Gonzales wasn’t done. On Saddleback’s final possession, the senior two-way player dropped a Saddleback runner for a nine-yard loss, and Newport Harbor eventually took over on downs.

Tift, who was taken to the hospital (his status wasn’t known after the game), scored on a 21-yard run to put the Sailors up, 7-0, in the first quarter. Sam Perla kicked a 30-yard field goal, then the Roadrunners’ Danny Gonzalez scored on a 16-yard run in the second quarter to give Saddleback a 10-7 lead.

The Sailors’ Gonzales answered later in the second quarter, putting his team ahead on a 26-yard touchdown run, but Saddleback quarterback Daniel Ruvolo came up with a 27-yard touchdown pass play to Jeremy McGlasson.