Santa Ana Valley Falcons and their head coach Fred Macias celebrate Friday’s win. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Santa Ana Valley’s football team got back on track Friday night, defeating Godinez 42-6 in a key Tango League game at Segerstrom.
The Falcons (4-2, 2-2) needed the win after dropping their last two league games and they responded with a balanced offensive attack and a relentless defense which forced four fumbles by Godinez (1-5, 1-3).
“It was a great team win, we had a great week of practice,” said Santa Ana Valley Coach Fred Macias. “The kids believed in each other and believed in what we’re doing and stuck to the game plan, we executed and game out with the victory.
“This definitely helps our playoff chances, it was a great team win.”
Four teams from the nine-team league advance to the CIF playoffs.
To see additional photos, click on the first picture:
Diego Vargas led the way for the Falcons with a 32-yard TD run and two 5-yard scores. He rushed for 162 yards on 14 carries.
Quarterback Angel Garcia was solid, completing 7 of 15 passes for 90 yards and a 21-yard touchdown pass to Joel Juarez late in the second quarter that gave Santa Ana Valley a 21-0 lead at halftime.
Running back Fern Dircio also contributed, scoring a 2-yard TD in the fourth quarter while rushing for 107 yards on 13 carries.
The Falcons capped the win when Jason Avina took an end around and scored on a 35-yard touchdown late in the game.
“Our quarterback played like a leader and our running back Vargas played like the great, tough running back that he is,” Macias said. “All 11 guys on defense played assignment football.”
Godinez showed some life in the second half when Isaac Najera scored on a 10-yard TD run midway through the third quarter. The Grizzlies missed the point after and trailed 21-6. The TD was set up by a 45-yard run by quarterback Loodwin Calderon.
But turnovers thwarted any hopes the Grizzlies had of coming back.
“They were just that much more intense in the first half,” said Godinez Coach Aron Kaye. “And we shot a few toes off. I was really proud of the way our kids came back to start the second half. We had a big stop there when we gave up the ball on the turnover and then we went and scored. I thought, ‘ok, we’re in a football game here.’
“But when you’re down 21-0 at half, it’s tough but credit to them, they had a good game plan and they did a nice job.”
Calderon passed for 50 yards for the Grizzlies.
It was a jubiliant Santa Ana Valley team after the game. The program suffered through two winless seasons but now the Falcons are hoping to secure their first trip to the CIF playoffs in three seasons.
“We worked out hard in the winter and summer and in the weight room and they believed in each other,” Macias said. “When you do all those things, it comes together and you get a night like this.”
Both Vargas and Garcia were happy to contribute to the win.
“I think it’s really important,” Vargas said of the victory. “They’re our rivals, it’s a team victory. I just want to thank my O-line and the QB, great handoffs.”
“We worked hard for this, at the start of the season, we’ve been working for this,” added Garcia. “We took it more serious {this season}, we didn’t mess around in practice.”
Both teams were well represented in the stands for the game at Segerstrom. Godinez and Santa Ana both play home games at Santa Ana Valley. Godinez was the home team Friday with officials deciding to play the game at Segerstrom.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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