SANTA ANA – Saddleback accomplished one of its goals Saturday afternoon with a 59-47 Orange Coast League victory over Calvary Chapel at Segerstrom.
The Roadrunners (5-3, 3-0) clinched their first CIF playoff berth since 2007. But Coach Rob Thompson said his squad still has its eyes on an Orange Coast League title, which would be Saddleback’s first league crown since 1987.
With the victory, Saddleback remained in a first place tie with Estancia. The Roadrunners and Eagles play Nov. 7 at Estancia in the regular-season finale.
“That clinched a playoff for us and we’re very excited about it,” said Thompson. “But that’s not our goal; our goal is to win league and I think we showed in the first half what kind of team we are.”
Saddleback held a 38-13 lead at halftime, but Calvary Chapel (3-5, 1-2) refused to fold.
The Eagles tried to battle back behind quarterback Patrick Glasgow, who passed for 428 yards and threw six TD passes, including two in the final 2:03 of the game. Luke Thompson hauled in 10 catches and Joey Cox nine for the Eagles.
“It was a rough loss, our offense played well,” said Calvary Coach Chris Cox. “We just couldn’t stop the run.”
Saddleback did its damage mostly on the ground.
Pedro Leon set the stage when he bolted 65 yards for a score on the Roadrunners’ opening possession. Leon, who rushed for 182 yards, also had a 5-yard touchdown run in the midway through the third quarter that put Saddleback ahead, 45-20.
Chris Rios was also solid for Saddleback, rushing for 115 yards, including a 65-yard TD run late in the first quarter.
“It was a hard run, I had to have everybody blocking,” said Rios. “I saw a gap and just ran.”
Rios also had touchdown runs of 17 and 2 yards in the second half.
Saddleback took control of the game when Bryan Salcido, playing out of the wildcat position, connected with Emilio Garcia on an 82-yard pass play in the second quarter which put the Roadrunners ahead, 28-13.
Juan Medina also rushed for two touchdowns for Saddleback.
Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com
