Sonora’s Line Finally Wears Santiago Down

It took Sonora’s offense most of the first half to get in sync, but the offensive line finally took control, wearing down a smaller Santiago team and leading the Raiders to a 24-7 nonleague victory Thursday night at Garden Grove High School.

Sonora (2-0), ranked seventh in the county, had a hard time moving the ball in the first half; the Cavalier defense held the Raiders to 78 yards in total offense. The only score of the half came with 1 minute 43 seconds left when Sonora running back Sam Escobar finished a 59-yard drive, with a six-yard touchdown run.

After an impressive defensive stand by Santiago (1-1) to open the second half, the Raiders settled for a 41-yard field goal by Chris Rico and a 10-0 lead.

Sonora changed its offensive blocking scheme and Santiago was unable to adjust as the line opened huge holes for running backs Shawn Brass and Mike Hamabe.

Brass gained 56 of his 79 yards in the second half, scoring on Sonora’s next two possessions.

A Santiago fumble on its own 32-yard line, followed by a 22-yard run by Hamabe, led to Brass’s first touchdown. Brass ran in from the 10, for a 17-0 Raider lead with five minutes remaining in the third.

On Sonora’s next drive, quarterback Kevin Rodriguez connected with tight-end Tom Ringl for 47 yards, and two plays later with 6:38 left in the game, Brass scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season on another 10-yard run.