Santa Ana Finally Gets the Best of Saddleback

Santa Ana High Coach Jesse Gomez reminded his players that during his playing days as a Saint, Saddleback never got the best of them.

“I told these guys that I’m not used to losing against Saddleback,” Gomez said.

He must have given them some pep talk. For the first time this decade, Santa Ana defeated Saddleback, 21-16, in a Golden West League game Friday at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Saints (5-3, 1-1 in league) had lost six consecutive games to Saddleback (3-5, 0-3). Santa Ana’s last victory over Saddleback (3-5, 0-3) was in a nonleague game in 1989.

Elliot Powell rushed for 203 yards in 17 carries. He scored twice and had an interception. The converted wide receiver scored on runs of 12 and 73 yards in the second half.

His interception at the Santa Ana one-yard line stopped a Roadrunner drive midway through the fourth quarter, securing a 21-14 advantage.

Saddleback earned a safety with less than two minutes remaining when a snap flew over punter Alfred Guidry’s head and out of the end zone. But the Roadrunners couldn’t do anything after taking over possession again.

Victor Ortiz completed nine of 17 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown with one interception for Saddleback. His 10-yard scoring pass to Jesse Romeo came with 1:08 left in the first half tied the score at 7-7.