ANAHEIM – During halftime, Anaheim honored its 1956 CIF championship team. And for long stretches of Friday night’s win over Savanna, the Colonists dominated like they did in their glory days.
A physical Anaheim defense held Savanna to four first downs and 245 total yards as the Colonists defeated the Rebels, 38-20, on Friday night at Glover Stadium.
Anaheim’s Raymond Serna rushed for four touchdowns and 277 yards.
“I’m really happy with the defense, and I thought we ran the ball really well too,” Anaheim coach Lanny Booher said. “Savanna is always a tough team. League comes down to just five games. You do as good as you can, and with the new format hopefully it gets you into the playoffs.”
Anaheim (3-5, 2-1) dominated the first half, save two big plays by Antonio Diez. The speedster took a punt 60 yards for a score following the Colonists’ opening series and caught a 53-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the half, leaping over a defender to make the catch and breaking a tackle on his way to the end zone.
The Colonists used up clock in the first half with a physical and effective running game, gaining 192 yards on 32 carries.
Savanna (5-4, 1-2) kept it close with touchdown passes of 52 and 43 yards.
Diez was the catalyst for the offense again in the third quarter. Following a long kickoff return to start the second half, Savanna’s drive stalled, but quarterback Ryley Smith found Diez in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard TD pass, Diez’s third TD.
Following an Anaheim punt, Savanna had a chance to take the lead but was intercepted, leading to Serna’s 1-yard TD run. Serna’s fourth TD pushed Anaheim’s lead to 35-20.
Anaheim added a 22-yard field goal before Smith hooked up with Davonte Porchia for a 42-yard score, Smith’s second touchdown toss of the game.
