SANTA ANA — It’s not often a team commits five turnovers, goes scoreless over the final three quarters and still finds a way to win.
Santa Ana did just that Thursday night, taking advantage of two blocked kicks against visiting Segerstrom and a crucial fumble recovery in the final minute to hold on for a 21-20 victory in a Golden West League game at Santa Ana Stadium.
The Saints (4-2, 1-0) committed their fifth turnover with 3½ minutes remaining and Segerstrom appeared ready to take a final shot at the end zone, or at least try another field goal, but sophomore quarterback Marcos Avalos was stripped of the ball on a third-down scramble and Angel Serrano recovered at the Santa Ana 34 with 59 seconds left to seal the win.
The Jaguars (1-5, 0-1) looked to be in great position to take the lead earlier in the final quarter, but Ramiro Valdivias snuck through on a 21-yard field goal attempt and swatted it aside with 7:57 left.
Segerstrom also had a point-after blocked after it pulled within one following a third-quarter touchdown.
Santa Ana got off to a rough start when it muffed the opening kickoff and the Jaguars recovered, scoring shortly afterward on a 1-yard end-around by JC Caravez.
The Saints answered with three straight touchdowns in the opening quarter, however, two short touchdown runs by Jorge Briseno and a 35-yard interception return for a score by Jonathan Briseno.
Segerstrom cut the deficit to 21-14 when Avalos found Caravez wide open for a 39-yard touchdown hookup, cutting the lead to 21-14.
The Jaguars missed another field goal in the final seconds of the first half when a 35-yarder caromed off the right upright.
