PHOTOS: Santa Ana tops Buena Park 33-26 on TD pass in final minute, capping wild opener

Santa Ana’s Isaac Larriva sprints 38 yards on a pass from Aldo Leyva for a touchdown with 52 seconds to play to give Santa Ana the lead. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone)

Santa Ana and Buena Park put on a wild and entertaining game Friday night in the opener of Buena Park’s football stadium and it had a dramatic finish.

To see the photos, please click on the first photo

Santa Ana pulled off a 33-26 victory when quarterback Aldo Leyva connected with Isaac Larriva on a 38-yard TD play with 52 seconds left.

Larriva is the younger brother of former Saint standout Nick Larriva, who is now at Idaho State on a full scholarship.

The game was tied 20-20 at halftime and Buena Park (0-1) held a 26-20 lead after three quarters. Leyva had 203 passing yards, Daimien Feliz rushed for 156 yards and Larriva, a junior, had 162 yards receiving.

Buena Park had some solid performances. Danez Maxey returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Khalil Blanton also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD and scored three times.

“With so many of last year’s team being seniors (who many are now playing College football, including three at the Division 1 level); this year’s team is a young team with only one returning starter on both offense and defense, so this game was a learning experience for all of us last night,” Santa Ana Coach Charlie TeGantvoort told OC Sports Zone Saturday.

“You could see the new young Saints start to grow up before our eyes as the game progressed. Our goal is to continue to get better and continue the proud Saint football tradition of playing and acting like champions.”

Jim McCormack contributed to this story