SANTA ANA – Beckman’s special teams and defense delivered a smoother trip for the Patriots on Thursday but not by much.
A week after overcoming altitude, heat, rain and strong wind gusts in a victory in Colorado, Beckman used big plays on defense and special teams to defeat Southern Division contender Santa Ana Valley, 27-14, at Santa Ana Stadium.
Beckman (2-0), unranked in the Southwest Division, opened a 27-0 lead at halftime against the Falcons (1-1) and running back Evert Roca (123 yards on 30 carries), ranked No. 2 in the Southern behind Garden Grove.
But Santa Ana Valley turned two second-half fumbles into touchdowns and was attempting to capitalize on a third turnover when the Patriots made a key defensive stop to maintain its 13-point lead.
On Santa Ana Valley’s final drive, sophomore I’Jon Akahi sacked quarterback Edgar Astorga for a 10-yard loss to the Beckman 45. Two plays later, the Patriots took over on downs at their 42 and ran out the final 3:38.
“They’re all tough (games),” said Beckman coach Glen Fisher, whose team opened with an 8-0 victory against Durango of Colorado at the Colorado State-Pueblo. “Valley came out in the second half and played hard football. Colorado was tough, too.”
“I think, and it’s on me, we came in a little flat in the second half. … That was a valuable lesson.”
Senior safety Ryan Sinkking contributed on defense and special teams for Beckman. He blocked a punt out of the back of the end zone late in the first quarter for a safety and an 8-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Sinkking returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown as Beckman raced to a 20-0 lead with 9:13 left in the first half.
Earlier in the second quarter, safety Logan Garrick contributed on Beckman’s special teams, returning a punt 70 yards for a touchdown.
Santa Ana Valley received a spark from its defense in the second half. Astorga scored on a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs after the Falcons’ Louis Aceves and Oscar Sanchez recovered fumbles.
The Falcons played without All-CIF offensive lineman Daniel Alo (knee) and middle linebacker Joel Reyes (ankle/back).
Akahi, Melvin Irby and Andrew Buitron collected sacks for Beckman, which is off to its first 2-0 start since 2009.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
