PREP FOOTBALL : University Beats Saddleback With Highfield’s Help

A seven-yard touchdown run by Tucker Highfield in the first quarter helped University defeat Saddleback, 24-6, in a nonleague game Thursday night at the Santa Ana Bowl.

Highfield led University (2-3) by rushing for 123 yards in 19 carries.

Highfield’s touchdown run, with seven minutes 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter, capped a 68-yard, seven-play drive.

University held Saddleback (1-4) to 98 yards total offense.

University extended its lead to 14-0 on a nine-yard touchdown run by Stuart Meurer with 2:27 remaining in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, University’s Stephen McKee sacked quarterback Brian Killingbeck, who fumbled.

Sepehr Sharifi recovered the ball and ran 54 yards for a touchdown to put University ahead, 21-0, with 28 left in the half.

Saddleback got on the scoreboard when Danny Verino ran 75 yards for a touchdown with 7:25 left in the third quarter, to cut University’s lead to 21-6. The kick failed.

But University countered on its next drive. Charles Thompson kicked a 25-yard field goal with four minutes remaining in the third quarter to put the Trojans ahead, 24-6.