ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / PREP EXTRA : Saddleback Escapes With a Victory, Despite Mistakes

Saddleback left the field with a victory for the first time this season, but the Roadrunners did not make it easy on themselves.

Saddleback turned the ball over twice inside its two-yard line and another time as it attempted to run out the clock, but still managed to hold off Santa Ana for a 21-13 Golden West League victory Friday night at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Roadrunners (2-4-1, 1-0-1), which got its only other victory this season on a forfeit, scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and appeared ready to rout the Saints when they moved the ball inside the two early in the second quarter.

However, running back Joseph Tagaloa, who rushed for 98 yards in 20 carries, fumbled as he crashed through the line and Carlos Esparza recovered at the four.

On their next possession, the Roadrunners moved the ball to the two, but the Santa Ana defense stopped Saddleback on four consecutive rushing attempts and the Saints remained two touchdowns behind at the half.

Santa Ana running back Ladon Robinson, who was held to 24 first-half yards in nine carries, then broke loose on a 92-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter and the Saints trailed, 14-7.

Tagaloa gave the Roadrunners another cushion when he scrambled 25 yards for a touchdown with 30 seconds left in the third, but Robinson, who finished with 199 yards in 18 carries scored on a 25-yard run with 8:34 remaining in the game.

Saddleback gave the ball back once more when David Pedroza fumbled at the Santa Ana 28 with 2:40 remaining, but Robinson threw the Roadrunners’ third interception on a sweep pass.