Garcia Helps Western Run Past Savanna

ANAHEIM —  Sergio Garcia rushed 15 times for 125 yards and scored three second-half touchdowns to lead Western to a 21-20 Orange League victory over Savanna Friday at Western.

The Pioneers (3-5, 1-2) overcame a 14-0 halftime deficit and then stopped Savanna (3-5, 0-3) on a two-point conversion attempt late in the game.

Trailing, 21-14, the Rebels scored on a one-yard keeper by quarterback Ryan Poland with 2 minutes 7 seconds left in the game and then went for the two-point try and the victory. But Poland was dropped behind the line of scrimmage by Garcia and Aaron Reaume.

“I screamed and hollered at them at the half and told them to show some pride,” Western Coach Toby Howell said. “I told them they had no shot at the playoffs if we didn’t win and we came out and played our best half of the season.”

Garcia gained 130 yards on the ground in the second half after being held to minus-five yards rushing in the first two quarters. Western managed only 49 yards in offense in the first half.

Savanna took a 14-0 lead on a pair of second-quarter touchdowns. Alfred Pene’s one-yard run made it 7-0 midway through the second and a 68-yard touchdown pass from Poland to Charles Ford made it 14-0 late in the half.

But the second half belonged to the Pioneers. Garcia scored on a 49-yard run with 6:29 left in the third quarter, then followed with a pair of five yard runs.