Saddleback Stops Santa Ana Valley : Defense Contains Standout Quarterback in 19-0 Victory

Saddleback High School’s defense, usually noted for its quickness, did a good job of containment as well, as the Roadrunners defeated Santa Ana Valley, 19-0, Thursday in a nonleague football game in front of 1,500 at Santa Ana Stadium.

Saddleback intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles in limiting Santa Ana Valley to 124 yards in total offense.

Santa Ana Valley quarterback James Stewart, who had Saddleback Coach Jerry Witte worried all week, was held to five yards rushing in six carries and completed two of 11 passes for 42 yards.

Stewart spent a great deal of the evening being chased around the backfield by Saddleback’s defense.

He had 33 yards rushing after his first five carries, but was sacked twice for loses of 18 and 10 yards in Santa Ana Valley’s final two possessions.

“For the most part we did a pretty good job (on defense),” Witte said. “Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy going in there like bullets after the quarterback. Tonight we stayed home pretty well.”

Kelly Jackson scored on a pair of one-yard runs in the first half as Saddleback opened a 12-0 lead.

Santa Ana Valley’s only real scoring threat came late in the third quarter, but it was over almost before it started.

Rome Manson returned a punt 26 yards to the Saddleback 49 with 2:24 left in the quarter. On first down, Stewart dodged the Saddleback rush and completed a 36-yard pass play to running back Jessie Brooks, giving the Falcons a first down at the Saddleback 15. It was his first completion.

On the next play though, the drive was over.

Running back James Barclay fumbled a pitch from Stewart and the ball was recovered by Saddleback defensive back David Morris.

Saddleback’s final touchdown came on a 57-yard pass play from quarterback Paul Delgado to wide receiver Robert Reyes with 4:15 remaining. Reyes, who was running a slant to the middle, was a step ahead of the defense when he caught the ball at the Valley 30 and raced into the end zone.

Santa Ana Valley’s defense was solid except for containing Mike Castro, who led Saddleback (2-3) with 94 yards in 15 carries.