PHOTOS: Los Amigos snaps 8-game losing streak with 14-0 victory over Saddleback

Matthew Galindo (No. 11) of Los Amigos celebrates a second half touchdown with teammates Bao Huynh (left) Adolfo Chavez. (Photos Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Los Amigos’s defense stepped up big in the second half and the Lobos celebrated with a 14-0 nonleague victory over Saddleback Thursday night at Segerstrom.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Juan Contreras of Los Amigos scores on a TD run.

Moises Magdaleno (No. 1) and Juan Contreras of Los Amigos celebrate after a big play.

Justin Boyer of Los Amigos (No. 6) encourages his teammates.

Saddleback quarterback Alejandro Soto is chased by Joshua Mejorada of Los Amigos.

Los Amigos quarterback Justin Boyer drops back to pass.

Matthew Galindo of Los Amigos evades a tackler Thursday.

Matthew Galindo scores a touchdown in the second half.

Dominic Madrid of Saddleback picks up yards Thursday.

Saddleback fans cheer on the Roadrunners Thursday.

The Saddleback band entertains the fans Thursday night.

Juan Benitez of Saddleback tries to gain yards.

Justin Boyer of Los Amigos picks up yards against Saddleback's Michael Palmerin.

The victory snapped an 8-game losing streak which dated back to September 21, 2018. Los Amigos last win was last September against Costa Mesa.

Midway through the third quarter, middle linebacker and quarterback Justin Boyer stripped-sacked Saddleback quarterback Alex Soto for a fumble and it was recovered by the Lobos’ defense at the 1-yard line. Running back Juan Contreras followed with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Los Amigos ahead 7-0 with about five minute remaining in the third quarter.

“The defense played hard all night and they came up big for our whole team because our offense wasn’t doing very well ,” said Los Amigos Coach Maopu Tuato. “We weren’t consistent enough on offense. Kudos to them, they’ve been working their butts off and it’s paid off.”

Los Amigos (1-2) increased its lead to 14-0 when Matthew Galindo hauled in a 14-yard TD catch from Boyer after a long and sustainable drive, and Los Amigos defense held Saddleback scoreless the rest of the way.

The Lobos players celebrated a big win after a stellar defensive performance after going scoreless into halftime.

“We’re trying to get them to believe in themselves,” Tuato said. “That’s half the battle with these kids, they’re so young up front that we need them to believe in themselves. This is huge.”

Up next for the Lobos is Costa Mesa on Friday Sept. 20, while the Roadrunners (1-2) will play Maranatha of Pasadena in Santa Ana Valley on the same day.

-Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone