Defense Is All Santiago Needs Against Santa Ana

Santiago High’s defense didn’t save the day against Santa Ana, but it sure made things easier.

The Cavaliers scored three touchdowns on turnovers, including two in the first quarter, to pull away for a 50-16 nonleague victory Friday night at Garden Grove High.

“We couldn’t quite get in sync offensively,” Santiago Coach Ben Haley said. “But the defense did a heck of a job.”

Santiago intercepted six passes and forced eight turnovers. Senior defensive back Bryan Thomas had three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.

“They were right there, so it was kind of easy,” Thomas said. “It wasn’t anything I had to work hard for. If I would have dropped them, then I would have looked stupid.”

The Cavaliers got a solid performance from junior running back Brandan Perry, who rushed for 202 yards in 26 carries and scored three touchdowns. Perry had 122 yards at the half, when the Cavaliers held a 32-7 lead.

“The defense made it easy for us,” Perry said. “They were awesome today.”

Thomas intercepted a pass from Lee Lopez on Santa Ana’s opening drive and Carlos Montenegro followed with a 21-yard field goal.

The Saints (1-1) brought in Rogelio Martinez at quarterback on their next series, but he threw the ball to Thomas on the first play. Thomas returned it 35 yards for a score.

Santiago committed its only turnover three minutes later, when Perry muffed a punt and Santa Ana recovered on the Cavalier five. Frostee Rucker followed with a one-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 10-8.

Perry’s 53-yard touchdown run, a two-point conversion and a 36-yard fumble return by Trung Nguyen put Santiago up, 25-8, in the first quarter.