Anaheim Scores Early, Often to Rout Savanna

Anaheim capitalized on three first-half turnovers and scored on all five of its first-half possessions en route to a 35-12 Orange League victory over Savanna Thursday at Glover Stadium.

“We’re a 2-5 football team but we’re really not,” Anaheim Coach Ben Haley said, citing close losses to Sonora and Buena Park and a rugged nonleague schedule that included Fullerton and Kennedy. “Our first half tonight is the way I thought we would play the entire season.”

Haley wasn’t nearly as happy with the second half. Anaheim (2-5, 1-1) didn’t score a point, while Savanna (0-7, 0-2) scored twice, thanks in large part to the running of senior Ronald McCullough, who gained 111 yards in 25 carries and scored both Rebel touchdowns.

First-half turnovers plagued the Rebels. After William Safotu’s one-yard touchdown run capped the Colonists’ first drive, Anaheim’s Magdaleno Alonzo recovered a Rebel fumble at the Savanna 32. Four plays later, Sergio Martinez burst up the middle for an eight-yard run, his first of two touchdowns.

In the second quarter, Louie Lopez intercepted a pass by Savanna quarterback Brad Thompson and raced into the end zone for a 55-yard interception return.

McCullough returned the kickoff 67 yards, but Safotu recovered an errant snap and then caught a Ryan Patterson pass for a 46-yard scoring play.

Savanna scored twice in the second half on two-yard touchdown runs by McCullough.