Dana Hills Gets the Third Degree

Three victories.

That’s how many victories the Dana Hills football team had in the past three years, combined. And that’s how many victories the Dolphins already have this season after defeating Santa Ana Valley, 42-20, Saturday to improve to 3-1.

The key to the Dolphin revolution is Coach Scott Orloff, who is new to the program. By coincidence, the Dolphins’ third victory came at Santa Ana Stadium against Orloff’s former team.

Orloff led the Falcons to their first Century League title in 18 years last season. What’s more, under Orloff’s tutelage, the Falcons defeated the Dolphins in each of the past three years.

This season, however, Dana Hills broke a 14-14 tie at halftime and took advantage of four Santa Ana Valley turnovers to cruise to the victory.

“There are a lot of emotions,” said Orloff, who brought several Falcon assistants with him. “We have a lot of feelings for these [Santa Ana Valley] kids.”

Matt Deter intercepted a pass from Falcon quarterback Mike Silvas and returned it 15 yards for the winning touchdown with 10 minutes 20 seconds to play in the third quarter. Deter, also the Dolphin kicker, missed the extra point--his only miss in five attempts--making the score 20-14.

On the Falcons’ next possession, Larry Page intercepted another Silvas pass at the Dolphin 10-yard line. After a 12-play drive, Page scored on a three-yard run and Aaron Kaufman passed to Dan Roberson for the conversion to make it 28-14 with 11:45 to play.

Page transferred from Santa Ana Valley last season.

B.J. Buck returned a punt 15 yards to the Falcon 24. After Dolphin quarterback Jeremy Walker was sacked for a one-yard loss, Julio Peraza gained 16 yards in a carry, then scored on a nine-yard run to make it 35-14.

A fumble on the Falcons’ next possession, recovered by Dolphin Ryan Klink, led to a seven-yard touchdown pass from Walker to Butch Kaufman to put the game out of reach, 42-14, with 4:13 to play.

Silvas connected with Pablo Hermoso for a 40-yard touchdown pass play on the Falcons’ next possession, but their conversion attempt failed, making it 42-20 with 45 seconds remaining.

The Falcons pulled off an on-sides kick but Dolphin Shaun Betts was the recipient of Silvas’ third interception with 36 seconds remaining. Silvas completed 13 of 26 passes for 243 yards, three interceptions and two touchdowns.