SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – San Juan Hills built a first-half lead but had to break a tie in the fourth quarter to overcome Dos Pueblos of Goleta, 36-29, in a nonleague season opener at San Juan Hills High on Friday.
After leading 22-0 in the first half, San Juan Hills (1-0) entered the fourth quarter in a 22-22 tie.
The Stallions were given great field position at the Dos Pueblos 38 after a short punt to open the fourth quarter.
San Juan Hills found its rhythm, and Doug Jackson hit Jacob Huff five plays later with a 16-yard pass for a touchdown and a 29-22 lead.
On the next Stallions drive, four consecutive first-down plays vaulted San Juan Hills down the field. Jackson found Huff for their third touchdown connection with a 7-yard pass to the back of the end zone for a 36-22 advantage.
Dos Pueblos (0-1) got within seven points on a 9-yard Kellen Roberts touchdown run with 53 seconds left. The onside-kick attempt rolled short of the required 10 yards, and San Juan Hills salted away the victory.
Both teams struggled early as San Juan Hills led 3-0 after the first quarter.
The Stallions hit their stride in the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Brock Cazel and a pair of Jackson touchdown passes.
Jackson, a junior transfer from Mater Dei, led Huff with a beautiful rainbow pass for a 55-yard touchdown play. On the next drive, Jackson followed with a pin-point throw to Cayden McCluskey for a 28-yard TD and a 22-0 lead.
Dos Pueblos scored twice in just over a minute late in the second and again midway through the third quarter to tie the game at 22.
