SANTA ANA – Westminster’s Antonio Olea caught just one pass in Friday night’s game against Santa Ana, but it proved to be the biggest reception of the night for the Lions.
Olea’s 5-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Matthew Dinh with 1:24 left lifted Westminster to a thrilling 26-21 triumph over the Saints in a key Golden West League game at Santa Ana Stadium.
The Lions improved to 8-1, 4-0 in league, setting up a winner-take-all battle for the league championship next week against Segerstrom, which also improved to 4-0 in league play following a 38-14 triumph over Ocean View.
But Westminster’s victory did not come easy, even though it looked like it was going to be early on.
The Lions – ranked No. 5 in the CIF-SS Southern Division – built a 20-0 at halftime on TD runs of 46 and 6 yards by Dinh, and a 3-yard run by Jacob McGookin. But Santa Ana’s offense, which was listless through most of the game, caught fire in the fourth quarter behind third-string sophomore QB Pablo Aguirre.
Aguirre, who entered the game late in the first half after starter Damian Macias broke his collarbone, ran for 171 yards – 132 in the second half – and two touchdowns. His 10-yard scoring run with 4:46 left gave Santa Ana a 21-20 lead.
But Westminster marched down the field on its ensuing possession, scoring on Olea’s catch to cap off a 7-play, 65-yard drive. A 49-yard run by Josh Avila (122 yards on 24 carries) on a fourth-and-1 play sparked the drive.
Santa Ana (7-2, 2-2) took possession on its own 22, but failed to get a first down.
But all is not lost for the Saints. A win over Orange next week will secure third place in league and a playoff berth.
Contact the writer: magarcia@ocregister.com
