Quarterback Sergio Torres is expected to lead Santa Ana’s offense. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
Coach Charlie TeGantvoort and his Santa Ana High School football players are gearing up for what they hope will be another successful season.
The Saints were 8-3 overall and finished second in the Orange Coast League with a 5-1 record behind league champion Orange last year and advanced to the CIF Division 6 playoffs, defeating Mayfair before losing to Dominguez in the second round. Santa Ana won the league title the previous season.
“As we start another Santa Ana Saints football season, we start the year with many different players but the same goals, to win another league championship and capture a CIF title,” TeGantvoort said.
“To do this we must gain confidence in our scheme and each other these next few weeks heading into our first week vs. Long Beach Millikan on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at the newly updated Santa Ana Bowl.”
The Saints will have some key experienced players returning, the coach said.
“On offense will be leaning on our talented returning junior quarterback Sergio Torres who will be one of the top QBs in the county along with a very tough offensive line led by seniors Adrian Bahena and Jose ‘Tank’ Martinez,” TeGantvoort said.
“Defensively (we) will also have great senior leadership in twin brothers Stephen Hughes at safety and Michael Hughes at defensive end, both who will also be at the top of the leader boards in their respective positions as the season goes on.
“The Saints are marching towards another successful season, and we are looking forward to representing all the City of Santa Ana all season long.”
Santa Ana plays its first four games on Thursday nights. All the Saints home games are at Santa Ana Stadium, which is also the home for Mater Dei football.
The Orange Coast League this year will include the addition of St. Margaret’s.
2022 Schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 18, (H) vs. Millikan
Thursday, Aug. 25, at El Modena
Thursday, Sept. 1, at Garden Grove
Thursday, Sept. 8, (H) vs. Buena Park
Friday, Sept. 16, at St. Margaret’s
Friday Sept. 23, (H), vs. Estancia
Friday, Sept. 30 (H) vs. Calvary Chapel
Friday, Oct. 7, at Costa Mesa
Thursday, Oct. 13, at Saddleback (Segerstrom)
Friday, Oct. 28, (H), vs. Orange
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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