Thomas Scores 4 Touchdowns to Lead Santiago

GARDEN GROVE —  James Thomas scored four touchdowns to lead Santiago to a 45-19 victory over host Bolsa Grande Thursday night in a Garden Grove League game.

Thomas scored on runs of four, 11, 20 and two yards to pace the Cavaliers, who controlled the tempo with 52 rushing plays in winning their first league game.

Santiago (2-5-1, 1-2-1 in league) took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on field goals of 48 and 25 yards by Adrian Villicana.

The Cavaliers increased their lead to 12-0 on the first of Thomas’ touchdowns, capping an 11-play, 65-yard drive.

Bolsa Grande (3-5, 1-4) scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Doug Baughman to Sam Baeder on a drive highlighted by a 68-yard pass from Baughman to John Nguyen.

Thomas scored his second touchdown with 1 minute, 28 seconds left in the half and had a chance to increase its margin when Joe Valdez intercepted his first of two passes. A field-goal attempt by Villicana was called back because of a penalty and a second try was blocked by Jorge Pagaoga.

Baughman and Baeder combined for a 12-yard touchdown pass to cut the Santiago lead to five early in the third quarter. Santiago came back when Vincent Maciel recovered a teammate’s fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

Nguyen’s 49-yard touchdown reception from Baughman reduced the lead to five, 24-19, with 4:51 left in the third quarter.

Two touchdowns by Thomas and a 33-yard scoring run by Daniel Melendez gave Santiago the final margin.

Melendez carried the ball 26 times for 187 yards to lead the Santiago. Thomas had 98 yards.