Saddleback big winners in Homecoming game against Los Amigos

High school football programs across the country like to express the sentiment that they are a team and a family.

No one lived up to it better on Friday night than Santa Ana Saddleback High.

The home side of the stands was packed, a grand stage for a Homecoming game at Santa Ana Segerstrom High.

But there was one noticeable absence, that being the Roadrunners recently hospitalized coach, Jerry Witte, who has returned to the program for just this season.

With their coach on their minds, the Roadrunners came up with an inspiring performance in defeating visiting Los Amigos 45-14.

There could be no doubt about the star of the evening. David Pedroza carried the ball 26 times for 233 yards a three touchdowns.

“It was a team effort from all of the coaching staff,” said Nick Diulio, the Roadrunners’ defensive line and special teams coordinator. “At Saddleback, we’re a family, and we all rallied to get the win. Pedroza, the offensive line blocked great today, but the biggest thing is that we did it for Coach [Witte]. We miss him. He’s in our prayers.”

Saddleback had scored just six points in its first three games this year. Midway through the first quarter, the Roadrunners (1-3) eclipsed that mark on the first of Pedroza’s scores — a three-yard run.

The senior running back ran for 40 yards on his team’s first drive, and his coaches decided that he was the horse to ride. Pedroza had just one carry for the season coming into Friday night’s action.

He had never seen so much green grass in front of him, a credit to offensive linemen like Adrian Aguilar, Alex Veles, Jorge Nunez and Israel Aldaco.

“I owe it all to my line,” said Pedroza, who had scoring runs of one, three and 62 yards. “I had a lot of fun. It was a fun night.”

Saddleback churned out a second 100-yard rusher in Daniel Resendiz, who hit the milestone right on the number.

The loss was deflating for Los Amigos (1-4). Saddleback had been outscored by 105 points in three prior contests.

“I’m not sure if we didn’t show up today or what happened,” Agnew said. “It was just interesting to see.”

“We’re always looking to someone else [to make a play], and it’s characteristic of a very young and inexperienced team right now.”

The Lobos made some plays, but not nearly enough. Quarterback Brandon Tinoco threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns — to Christian Santana and Saul Robles — but they were packaged with four interceptions.

Bryan Osegueda had two interceptions on defense for Saddleback.

Los Amigos’ Brian Pacheco intercepted Jonathan De Leon to start the third quarter, returning the pass 29 yards to the Roadrunners’ 31.

A personal foul moved the ball to the 16, and Tinoco found Santana on the first play of the drive to make it 28-7 Saddleback.

Santana has emerged as the clear No. 1 option for Tinoco. He has posted at least five receptions in back-to-back games. He had eight catches for 115 yards against the Roadrunners.

“It seems like those two are starting to connect with each other a lot, the last two weeks, especially,” Agnew said. “He’s become that favorite target, and he’s the go-to guy right now. He’s very consistent for us.”

Andrew Contreras had two tackles for a loss, and Tomas Sephen recorded a sack for the Lobos in defeat.

Los Amigos……...0 0 14 0 — 14

Saddleback…….14 14 7 10 — 45

FIRST QUARTER

Sad — Pedroza 3 run (Juarez kick), 6:06.

Sad — Pedroza 1 run (Juarez kick), 1:58.

SECOND QUARTER

Sad — Roa 15 pass from De Leon (Juarez kick), 7:41.

Sad — Pedroza 62 run (Juarez kick), 4:17.

THIRD QUARTER

LA — Santana 16 pass from Tinoco (Escalante kick), 10:30.

Sad — De Leon 1 run (Juarez kick), 6:16.

LA — Robles 5 pass from Tinoco (Escalante kick), 2:36.

FOURTH QUARTER

Sad — Ahmath 22 pass from De Leon (Juarez kick), 11:55.

Sad — Juarez 27 FG, 9:02.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

LA — Garcia, 4-14.

Sad — Pedroza, 26-233, 3 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

LA — Tinoco, 15-32-4, 145, 2 TDs.

Sad — De Leon, 4-11-1, 47, 2 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

LA — Santana, 8-115, 1 TD.

Sad — Ahmath, 2-29, 1 TD.

Andrew.Turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @ProfessorTurner