Santiago puts some big bites on REV in 25-10 victory

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I’m done predicting.

Corona Santiago, the lone wild-card entrant in the Inland Division, took on third-seeded Redlands East Valley tonight in a semifinal at Yucaipa High and, flat out, was the better team, advancing to its first section final with a 25-10 victory.

The nail in REV’s coffin came late in the third quarter with the Sharks holding a 22-10 lead. Redlands East Valley running back Chris Polk had just run for a first down to about the Santiago 30-yard line, but UCLA-bound safety Anthony Dye came up with a huge hit, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Sharks and injuring the left shoulder of Polk, who has committed to USC.

Score an early one for the Bruins!

The Sharks then tacked on a field goal and Polk wasn’t the same weapon after that, playing the fourth quarter with his arm dangling by his side.

‘I knew I had to come up with a big play,’ said Dye, who also ran for two touchdowns.

But it was Santiago’s defense that saved the day, forcing five turnovers in the rain-filled game, including three in the red zone.

‘Everytime we were going to score, we put the ball on the ground, we threw an interception, we did something that cost us the ballgame,’ said REV Coach Kurt Bruich. ‘When all is said and done, if you can’t put the ball in the end zone, you can’t win.’

The Wildcats scored their only touchdown on a kickoff return by Polk, who was clearly devastated by the loss.

-- Dan Arritt