Antelope Valley Comes Up Short to Santa Ana

Little guys making big plays helped Santa Ana College to its biggest victory in eight years, a 31-20 victory over Antelope Valley in the first McDonalds Community College Bowl on Saturday night at Antelope Valley College.

Sophomore Tramel Robinson, listed on the roster at 5 feet 8, but in reality a couple of inches shorter, traversed a muddy field for 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 34 carries to pave the way for the Dons (8-3) to claim their first bowl victory since 1989.

Archie Lappin, a 5-9 freshman, completed 14 of 21 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown, and Santa Ana rolled up 457 yards and kept the Marauders playing catch-up.

Seven of Lappin’s completions went for 153 yards to Sam Stremick, who was the game’s most valuable player.

“Ever since I started playing, everyone’s been bigger than me,” Lappin said. “People think it’s a disadvantage. But it’s kind of an advantage, people trying to tackle someone who cuts underneath them.”

Antelope Valley (7-4) discovered as much chasing Robinson, whose second-half scoring runs of one and eight yards extended the Dons’ lead after two touchdowns pulled the Marauders to within striking distance.

Santa Ana (formerly Rancho Santiago), which defeated Moorpark, 31-28, in the 1989 Orange County Bowl, led, 17-14, early in the third quarter before Robinson scored from one yard to cap a 63-yard drive.

Robinson, the Mission Conference Central Division offensive player of the year, closed out the scoring early in the fourth quarter after a four-yard touchdown pass from Brad Norris to Ronnie Blair pulled Antelope Valley to within 24-20 midway through the third quarter.

“He is really something,” Santa Ana Coach Dave Ogas said of Robinson. “The mud hurts the long-legged guys more than the short-legged guys.”

Robinson, who emerged with his white jersey covered with mud, revealed he actually stands 5-6.

“I’ve never played on a field this muddy,” Robinson said. “I just tried to run straight and not cut too much, but they were missing me.”

Santa Ana had little trouble containing Lafayette Bailey of Antelope Valley.

Bailey, who had 856 yards rushing this season, had minus-10 yards in nine carries. Bailey’s longest gain went for eight yards and twice he was thrown for losses of at least 10 yards.

“There wasn’t really much I could do,” Bailey said. “The field was hard to get a grip on. We just waited too long to come out and play some football.”

Trailing, 17-7, Antelope Valley marched 80 yards in eight plays on the opening possession of the second half. Norris, who split time at quarterback with Michael Gleich, completed three of three passes on the drive. Tyree Booker carried two yards for the touchdown.

Norris completed 12 of 24 passes. He completed all three of his passes--including a 52-yard bomb to tight end Andy Rethi--on a 80-yard drive that pulled the Marauders to within 24-20. Norris capped the drive with the four-yard scoring pass to Blair.