Saddleback Finally Puts Away Pesky Santa Ana, 41-13

SANTA ANA — Saddleback pulled away from Santa Ana in the second half and won a Golden West League football game, 41-13, Thursday at Santa Ana Stadium.

Santa Ana (0-6, 0-1 in league) trailed only 20-13 with 7 minutes 21 seconds left in the third quarter after receiver Chris Weaver scored on a 59-yard pass from Hector Candelas.

It was Weaver’s second touchdown of the game. The first came in the first quarter on a 23-yard reception.

After Santa Ana got within seven points, Saddleback (5-1, 1-0 in league) soon increased the margin, scoring on a 51-yard drive that was completed by a one-yard run by Joseph Tagaloa.

Tagaloa rushed for 113 yards in 19 carries and opened the second-half scoring, catching a 10-yard touchdown pass from Juan Cabral.

Saddleback intercepted four Candelas passes; two of the interceptions were by Juan Lomeli. Lomeli also caught a nine-yard pass from Cabral early in the fourth giving the Roadrunners a 34-13 lead.

“Our team is playing really well,” Lomeli said. “I think I played pretty well. I did what was called and I executed.”

Santa Ana gave up on its ground game midway through the first quarter, electing to pass on every down--except the Saints’ final play of the game, a five-yard run by Candelas.