Quick Work Puts Santiago Ahead to Stay

Santiago’s fast start prevented Bolsa Grande from spoiling homecoming as the Cavaliers went on to win, 49-22, Friday night at Garden Grove High.

“It was a nice homecoming win for our kids,” said Santiago Coach Ben Haley of his team, which is 4-3 and 2-1 in the Garden Grove League. “We needed to have intensity and they came out and had it.”

The Cavaliers exploited two Matador turnovers and a blocked punt as quarterback Ben Tran threw 20-yard touchdown passes to receivers Steve Lopez and Ray Martinez to give the Cavaliers a 13-0 lead. Pedro Hernandez blocked a punt to put the Cavaliers at the Matador 7-yard line, setting up a touchdown run by Carlos Carbajal. The Cavalier offense spent the quarter in Matador territory and led, 27-0, after one quarter.

The Matadors’ first score came when John Nguyen came up with a 11-yard pass from quarterback Doug Baughman.

The Cavaliers marched 55 yards on the following drive and scored when Tran ran nine yards for a touchdown to give the Cavaliers a 34-6 lead at halftime.

The Matadors (3-4, 1-3) moved 67 yards on their first drive of the second half, which Joey McMahan capped with a four-yard touchdown run.

The Cavaliers turned a failed onside kick and a blocked punt into touchdowns (14-yard run by Octavio Villa and one-yard run by Richard Cabrera) to put the Cavaliers up, 49-14.

Ramon Navarez caught a 56-yard pass from Baughman to close the scoring.