SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – Filling in for injured starter Mike Miscione, running back Devin Wegis helped San Juan Hills jump ahead early in a 23-6 victory over Canyon at San Juan Hills High on Friday.
The junior rushed 13 times for 121 yards and a 62-yard touchdown in the first quarter, while quarterback Patrick O’Brien added 303 total yards and two touchdowns.
Still, San Juan Hills coach Aaron Flowers said there is room for improvement.
“It was our best night of execution,” he said. “Canyon had a great game plan and the kids play hard, we need to do a better job executing.”
A bad snap over the head of Canyon quarterback Jason Harman led to a safety and O’Brien added a 1-yard touchdown plunge to put San Juan Hills (1-1) ahead 16-0 in the second quarter.
The junior quarterback added a 6-yard TD pass to sophomore Jacob Huff in the third quarter.
O’Brien completed 20 of 32 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off twice in the first quarter. He added 13 rushes for 85 yards.
Defensively, the Stallions’ front seven limited Canyon’s ground game in the first half, forcing Harman to throw. Griffin Grutz picked off Harman twice.
“The front seven was the key to the game,” Flowers said. “When the linebackers and defensive line control the line of scrimmage, it makes life easier.”
Griffin Grutz picked off Harman twice and nearly came away with a third interception in the second half
Harman hit tight end Noah White for a 7-yard touchdown with 2:07 left in the first half for Canyon’s lone score.
The win is San Juan Hills’ third straight over Canyon (0-2).
Contact the writer: npercy@ocregister.com
