SANTA ANA – Expectations were high going into the season opener for Beckman and senior quarterback Dean Nagle.
The second-team, all-league performer from last year did not disappoint, picking apart Santa Ana Valley’s defense Friday night while leading the the Patriots to a 41-21 win.
Nagle completed 10 of 14 passes for 203 yards, and he rushed for 59 yards. He had three total touchdowns on the night.
It took the Patriots just three plays to find the end zone. Naggle found junior receiver Justin Sanjurjo for 64-yard strike down the sideline to put Beckman in front, 6-0.
Sanjurjo had three receptions for 96 yards on the night.
They carried that momentum into their first defensive possession, as sophomore linebacker Angel Ramirez sacked Santa Ana quarterback Sherman Thomas, causing him to fumble.
After a 1-yard touchdown plunge by senior running back I’Jon Akahi, senior safety Liam Molina intercepted Thomas and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 20-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Santa Ana Valley was able to get on the board early in the second quarter with a 22-yard strike from Thomas to receiver Malcolm Wesley, cutting the deficit to 20-7.
It was all Nagle and the Patriots from there, as they scored 21 unanswered points before halftime to put the game out of reach at 41-7.
The Patriots took their foot off the gas in the second half, as Naggle attempted just one pass.
Santa Ana Valley running back Chris Hernandez found some holes in the second half, scoring two touchdowns. He totaled 32 carries for 206 yards on the night as the lone bright spot for the Falcons on offense.
Beckman travels to Elsinore next Friday for another nonleague matchup, while Santa Ana Valley hosts Saddleback.
