Los Amigos’ Reverse Is Santiago’s Downfall

Receiver Rocky Herrera ran a reverse 38 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to break a 7-7 tie and Los Amigos went on to a 21-7 victory over Santiago Friday night in a Garden Grove League game at Garden Grove High.

Los Amigos (2-4-1, 1-1-1) drove from its 26-yard line to the Santiago 38 on runs off tackle and then caught the Cavaliers off guard with the reverse. Herrera took a handoff from Johnny Autatasi and ran untouched down the left sideline for a touchdown with 3:50 left in the third quarter.

After recovering a fumble near midfield, Santiago (2-5, 1-3) drove to the Los Amigos seven-yard line early in the fourth quarter. On a fourth-and-three play, Los Amigos linebackers Richard Dinh and Manny Salgado combined to tackle wing back Rudy Rodriguez after a one-yard gain and the Lobos took over on downs.

It was the key play of the game because Los Amigos went on a time-consuming 94-yard drive that was culminated by a 12-yard touchdown run by Emo Taula, who broke six tackles in the process. After the extra point, the Lobos led 21-7 with 3 minutes 8 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Autatasi rushed for 154 yards in 13 carries and had a 85-yard run to set up a touchdown in the first quarter.