Savanna’s Offense Wakes Up

Savanna’s offense, dormant in its Orange League opener last week, came alive in the first half Thursday night to defeat Western, 39-19, at Glover Stadium.

The Rebels, unable to get a first down until late in the third quarter last week against Brea Olinda, had the ball for four possessions in the first half, picking up 308 yards, 17 first downs and four touchdowns en route to a 26-13 lead.

“We returned to basic, fundamental football,” Savanna Coach Fred DiPalma said.

The result was scoring drives of 71, 80, 81 and 85 yards on 23 rushing and four pass plays, all completions by Robin Dano.

It took only five running plays to score on the Rebels’ first possession, capped by Jason Brown’s 14-yard run.

Western (3-4, 1-1 in league) countered with a 75-yard drive with Trevell Jackson, who finished with 173 yards rushing, scoring from 46 yards. Matt Stanley kicked the extra point to give the Pioneers their only lead, 7-6.

Savanna (4-3, 1-1) bounced back on an 80-yard drive. Passes of 31 and 16 yards from Dano to Camron King, the second for the touchdown, highlighted the drive.

Brown’s 50-yard run keyed the third Rebel scoring drive, setting up a one-yard touchdown run by King.

Damien Keoho, who left the game early in the third quarter because of an injury, scored from 11 yards for Western to cut the lead to 20-13 late in the half.

Dano and King combined for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 46 seconds left in the half to give Savanna a 26-13 lead.

Savanna scored twice in the fourth quarter on a four-yard run by Brown and a 15-yard interception return by Ray Widi.