Julián Gómez scrambles for a first down in Saturday’s game vs. Saddleback. (Photos Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
Crosstown rivals Santa Ana and Saddleback had not shared a football field in a while ever since the Roadrunners left the Golden West League a few years ago.
In 2018 and after joining the Orange Coast League, it took the Saints one play in their opening possession to revamp a rivalry that dates back a few decades when senior quarterback Julián Gómez connected with all-purpose back Patrick McMorris for 80 yards and Santa Ana never looked back en route to a 45-0 league victory over the Roadrunners Saturday night at Santa Ana Valley.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
The game was rescheduled after there were thunderstorms that forced officials to cancel the league contest on Friday night. The two schools are about three miles apart.
The Saints were solid in all three phases of the game, while the Roadrunners didn’t help their cause turning the ball over on a fumble and an interception in the first half of the game. Santa Ana cashed in on both situations.
Santa Ana was led offensively by Patrick McMorris who had three touchdowns (caught one and rushed for two) and accumulated close to 150 all-purpose yards. His three scores gave the visitors a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Meanwhile Julián Gómez passed for over 250 yards and two touchdown passes and scrambled for yardage in key situations that extended the drives for the Saints.
Saddleback in the meantime couldn’t get anything going offensively as the Roadrunners punted the ball in four of their six possessions. Their lone sparks came from a few completions of quarterback David Ayala to his receiving corp.
“Our defense played great and we had a lot of guys step up,” said Santa Ana Coach Charlie TeGantvoort. “Our passing game really took it to another level and it was just a great team victory. I’m just happy the guys got to play. It was kind of disappointing yesterday when we had to cancel the game due to lightning because of safety concerns and I’m appreciative of the people who made sacrifices both on our part and Saddleback’s part. I know both athletic directors made sacrifices to make sure this game happened tonight. It’s great the kids get to play in the game they worked so hard for.”
Gomez, the quarterback, added:
“I liked how we came out strong. We just had to keep our heads a little better. We worked on a lot of stuff. I liked it. I’m really excited for the last two games. I like the end of it, the competition is way better, it’s going to be exciting. We’re on a roll.”
McMorris was pleased too.
“It’s a great victory,” he said. “I want to thank my linemen. They did a great job. Without them, I can’t do anything. Everybody was on point. We’re just trying to get better every practice.”
Santa Ana was able to take a 42-0 lead into the half when defensive back Brian Guevara intercepted Ayala and returned the ball for 35 yards for the pick-six.
With a running clock in the second half and after Santa Ana decided to forego their right for a kickoff and gave the possession to Saddleback. The Roadrunners threatened and gained a couple of first downs, but couldn’t quite get it going offensively when they reached the 50 yard line and were forced to punt the ball two more times.
In their only possession in the second half Santa Ana was able to add a field goal when freshman kicker Jesus Olvera connected from 29 yards out.
Up next for the Saints (6-2, 3-0 in OCL) is Estancia (5-3, 2-1) Friday at the Santa Ana Bowl. Meanwhile the Roadrunners (1-7, 0-3) will face Costa Mesa (0-8, 0-3) at Mustang Field the same night.
-Fernando M. Donado, OC Sports Zone
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