ANAHEIM – Santa Ana’s Damian Macias played running back, quarterback, defensive back, returned kicks and was the holder for kicker Ismael Mojica against Loara in a Golden West League game Thursday night at Glover Stadium.
The 5-foot-9, 160 pound junior excelled at every position.
Macias had touchdown runs of 30 and 1 yards, returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown and, playing quarterback in the second half, completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Briseno to power the unbeaten Saints to a 35-0 victory.
Macias also had an interception and 20-yard return that set up Santa Ana’s final touchdown, an 8-yard run by Allen Pacheco. He also had a 22-yard reception from starting quarterback Julian Gomez.
To cap off a near-perfect performance, Macias held for Mojica’s five straight PATs. Macias gained 130 yards on 15 carries and completed 3 of 5 passes for 60 yards.
Santa Ana (7-0, 2-0) had 352 yards in total offense, 244 rushing.
Loara (1-6, 0-2), which lost its fifth straight, moved the ball at times and had 146 yards in total offense, 96 rushing, but also had three interceptions.
Martin Ramirez led the Saxons offensively with 54 yards on 20 carries.
Macias’ 30-yard touchdown run ended a five-play, 62-yard drive to lift Santa Ana to a 6-0 lead with 1:50 remaining in the first quarter.
Loara deepest drive into Santa Ana territory before halftime reached the 27 in the second quarter, but on second-and-10 from the 27, Roger Leon intercepted Nocella’s pass in the end zone. The Saxons had marched 42 yards on nine plays before the interception.
Macias’ 85-yard punt return for Santa Ana’s second score came with 1:10 left in the first half.
Loara’s Miguel Romo punted from the 50. Macias evaded the initial coverage and broke into the open to the right. He darted past the Saxon defenders near midfield and ran untouched to the end zone.
The Saxons recovered a fumble at the Saints’ 29 early in the second half and drove to the 14. But Ramirez was thrown for a 3-yard loss on first down and Frankie Nocella was intercepted by Ricardo Garcia in the end zone.
With Macias playing quarterback out of the shotgun, Santa Ana drove 90 yards on 14 plays scoring on his 1-yard run with 2:16 remaining in the third period for a 21-0 lead.
