Saddleback shuts out Magnolia in Zeta League finale and clinches outright crown

Saddleback football players and coaches celebrate an outright league title Friday night. (Photo courtesy Saddleback Athletics).

Saddleback High School’s football team, which had already clinched a share of the Zeta League title, won the outright crown Friday night defeating Magnolia 23-0 at Saddleback.

It’s the first league title for Saddleback since 1986 and Coach Rob Thompson’s Roadrunners (6-4, 4-0) are headed to the CIF playoffs next week. It will be Saddleback’s first trip to the playoffs since 2015.

To view additional photos, click on the first picture:

Fabian Bravo of Saddleback eludes a Magnolia defender.
Photos courtesy Randall Perez

Saddleback's Diego Figueroa gains yards Friday.

Saddleback's Chris Cortez puts pressure on Magnolia's Emiliano Ramirez.

Andre Raiford of Saddleback gains yards as Magnolia's Juan Alvarez defends.

Quarterback Andre Scott threw a 34-yard TD pass to Andrew Alvarez. Chris Romero blocked a field goal attempt and Anthony Lopez returned it for a touchdown. In addition, JD Zuniga had a 30-yard touchdown run for Saddleback.

“Our defensive line played awesome,” Thompson said. “We gave them a ton of penalty yards and they still didn’t score. My defensive line coach Tupua Ionae did a great job with the defense this week.”

Magnolia fell to 1-9 overall and 1-3 in league.