Saddleback Shuts Down Cherrington, Wins

SANTA ANA —  Saddleback’s defense smothered Santa Ana Valley’s running attack in a 28-0 nonleague football victory Thursday night at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Roadrunner front line of Rafael Lucero, Jimmy Ambriz, Morrow Potts and Juan Leal stifled Falcon star running back Dwayne Cherrington, who had rushed for 398 yards in the first two games. The Roadrunners limited him to 24 yards in 17 carries, including only four yards in the first half, when the Roadrunners took a 21-0 lead.

“I feel our line can match up with them one-on-one,” said Saddleback Coach Jerry Witte before the game.

Santa Ana Valley (1-2) did not get a first down until there was 22 seconds remaining in the first half.

Brian Killingbeck kept the Falcon defense off-balance with the option, connecting on six of seven passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns and carrying the ball 10 times for 64 yards. Killingbeck had a seven-yard scoring pass to Omar Palacios in the first quarter and an 18-yard scoring pass to Hector Hernandez in the second.