ANAHEIM – With the playoffs on the on the line for both Anaheim and Savanna in Friday night’s Orange League regular-season finale, both teams knew it was as simple as win or go home.
Brandon Lopez threw three touchdown passes and ran for a touchdown and Robert Barajas had three interceptions as the Colonists cruised to a 48-6 victory over the Rebels at Glover Stadium to earn a postseason berth.
Anaheim (6-3, 3-2) finished in a tie for second with Magnolia but earned the league’s third automatic playoff berth because it lost to Magnolia two weeks ago. Savanna finished 4-6, 2-3.
Leading, 7-0, midway through the opening quarter, Barajas intercepted a Savanna pass and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown that extended the lead to 13-0.
Barajas intercepted a second pass on Savanna’s ensuing possession. Six plays later, Lopez threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Montoya for a 20-0 lead 11 minutes into the game. Barajas hauled in his third interception in the third quarter.
“Our goal was to make the playoffs and I wanted to make a block, catch a pass or grab an interception, anything to help this team win,” Barajas said.
Lopez capped a 13-play, 83-yard scoring drive with a 23-yard touchdown strike to Aaron Luna in the second quarter that propelled Anaheim to a 27-0 halftime lead. Lopez completed 8 of 9 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns, including a 72-yard completion to Jacob Diaz for Anaheim’s first score.
Anaheim’s defense forced five turnovers. Logan Thomas led Savanna with 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.
