Saddleback Rips Santa Ana Valley

Saddleback used a powerful running game and a solid defense to defeat Santa Ana Valley, 31-7, Thursday night at Santa Ana Stadium.

Roadrunner running backs rushed for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Saddleback’s Joseph Tagaloa led all rushers with 97 yards in 17 carries. Teammates Frank Gonzalez had 72 yards in nine carries and David Pedroza had 61 yards in seven carries.

“I was pleased with the way we came out and ran,” Saddleback Coach Jerry Witte said. “We had a goal of 150 each game.”

Saddleback converted two key fourth downs to score its first touchdowns. On their first drive, the Roadrunners went 73 yards without a pass and then on fourth and goal, quarterback Juan Cabral scored on a five-yard run.

Saddleback converted another fourth down when Tagaloa caught a screen pass from Cabral for 10 yards for first and goal and set up a three-yard touchdown run by Gonzalez.

Before the end of the half, Santa Ana Valley ended its nine-quarter scoring drought by moving the ball 95 yards as quarterback Mike Silvas found tight end Bryan Save for a six-yard touchdown pass, the Falcons’ first score of the season.

The Roadrunners dominated the second half with touchdown passes of 17 and 15 yards to receivers Juan Lomeli and Santana Ung. Their defense neutralized the Falcons by giving up only 15 yards in the second half.