Thomas, Santiago Dominate La Quinta, 53-0

Santiago scored 32 first-quarter points and pummeled La Quinta, 53-0, in a Garden Grove League game Friday night at Garden Grove High.

La Quinta quarterback Rene Sanchez’s first pass was intercepted by Bryan Thomas, who easily returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.

Sanchez’s next pass was also intercepted by Thomas, setting up a 31-yard touchdown pass from Brian Pilkington to Trung Nguyen.

La Quinta (0-5, 0-2 in league) could not get its offense started, turning it over five times, three on fumbles. Santiago (3-2, 1-1) capitalized on the turnovers, scoring on each ensuing series. Santiago depended on the strong running of Brandan Perry, who rushed for two touchdowns, and the arm of Pilkington, who threw for three first-half touchdowns.

But Thomas was the standout. He played great defense, caught a 60-yard touchdown pass and ran back a punt 55 yards for a score.

Rounding out the Santiago scoring was Narcisco Garcia, who had a nine-yard diving catch for a touchdown, and junior varsity call-up Cesar Montoya, who scored on a 32-yard run.

Santiago’s defensive standouts were Thomas and Viliamu Taafua, who recovered two fumbles and had three sacks. The Santiago line pressured La Quinta quarterbacks all night, forcing two interceptions and recording seven sacks.