Saddleback Coasts to Victory Over Santa Ana

Saddleback High, winless in Golden West League play last season, opened the 2000 league season in impressive style Saturday night, defeating Santa Ana, 49-0, at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Roadrunners (4-3, 1-0 in league) scored the first four times they had the ball and built a 35-0 halftime lead.

Ramon Saavedra connected with Emmett Briggs for a 40-yard touchdown pass on Saddleback’s first offensive play. Fred Chavez made his first of seven conversion kicks.

Joel Gonzalez scored from the two-yard line to give Saddleback a 14-0 edge with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter. The touchdown was set up by a 24-yard run by Gonzalez on a fourth-and-one play from the Saint 26.

Saavedra’s two-yard touchdown run increased the Saddleback lead to 21-0 late in the first quarter.

Briggs caught his second touchdown pass, this one 14 yards from Saavedra, with 8:12 left in the second quarter.

Adam Cabrera intercepted a pass with 58 seconds left in the half to set up the fifth Saddleback touchdown. Saavedra hit Ismael Isais with a 23-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds left in the half.

Cabrera opened the second half with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown before Saddleback was able to put in its reserves.

Saavedra completed eight of 15 passes for 154 yards, all in the first half.

Saddleback scored on a 12-play fourth-quarter drive, finished by an 18-yard touchdown run by Ryan Dail.

Santa Ana (0-7, 0-2) was limited to 54 yards and three first downs, one by penalty.

Brian Wright rushed for 64 yards in 10 carries and Gonzalez rushed for 57 yards in 10 carries for Saddleback.