Santa Ana smashes its way past Laguna Beach, reaches title game

Santa Ana's Jorge Briseno is unable to complete a pass in the first half. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana cheerleader, Luziris Valverde prepares to be caught by her teammates as they warm-up before their team's CIF semi final game. ///ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:hsgarcia.1126 – MICHAEL KITADA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER - SUMMARY HS football playoff game: Laguna Beach vs. Santa Ana in the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 13 football playoffs at Santa Ana Stadium. Need game action of both teams for print and web. Also, need 4-5 fan photos from this game. NOTE: The fan photos are important to us because they are a huge success online. We want the fan photos to focus on the students cheering at the games, dressed in costumes or other unique attire, holding up signs. We also want photos of the cheerleaders, spirit squads and band members performing at the game.
Santa Ana's Jorge Briseno eludes Laguna Beach defense and scores late in the first half of their CIF semi final game. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana's Pablo Aguirre returns a kickoff for a touchdown in the second quarter in his team's CIF semi final game against Laguna Beach. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Sean Nolan escapes a tackle for a touchdown late in the 2nd quarter of his team's CIF semi final game against Santa Ana. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Adam Armstrong is brought down by Santa Ana's Matthew Dorantes. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Curtis Harrison is able to get a pass off before the defense from Santa Ana converges on him. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Curtis Harrison scrambles for a few yards during the first half of his team's CIF semi final game against Santa Ana. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana's Damian Macias is able to gain a couple of yards on this play during the first half of their CIF semi final game against Laguna Beach. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana's Jorge Briseno cuts upfield during his team's game against Laguna Beach in the CIF semifinals. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana's Allen Pacheco crosses the goal line to score in the first quarter of his team's CIF semi final game against Laguna Beach. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana's Chris Nava is unable to hold on to the ball as he is chased by Laguna Beach's Zane Herr. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Matt Hayes turns upfield during the first half against Santa Ana. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Ryan Blaser is brought down from behind after a completion during the first half of his team's CIF semi final game against Santa Ana.(Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Quarterback Damian Macias scrambles for yards during the first quarter of Santa Ana’s CIF semifinal win Friday.
Santa Ana's Jorge Briseno eludes a blocker as he churns out yards in the first half of his team's CIF semi final game against Laguna Beach. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Bruce Knill, #8, is congratulated by his teammates after scoring on their opening kickoff against Santa Ana in their CIF semi final game. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Beach's Bruce Knill returns the kickoff for a touchdown the first time the Artist's touched the ball to even the score at 7-7 in the first quarter.(Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

By Mark Garcia | magarcia@scng.com | Orange County Register

November 25, 2016 at 11:16 p.m.

SANTA ANA – Three years ago, Santa Ana football coach Charlie TeGantvoort took over a program that finished 0-10 and had won just two games in three years.

Now, that same program is one win away from accomplishing its ultimate goal.

Sparked by a bruising ground game and an opportunistic defense, Santa Ana defeated Laguna Beach, 66-27, Friday in a CIF-Southern Section Division 13 semifinal game at Santa Ana Stadium.

The victory advances the undefeated Saints (13-0) to their first section title game since 1986; they will face No. 2 seed Rancho Christian of Temecula either Friday or next Saturday. A site has not been determined, but Rancho Christian – which defeated South El Monte, 42-28, Friday – will be the home team.

“Now it’s time to take that next step,” said TeGantvoort. “I’m super proud to have an opportunity to take that step.”

Santa Ana dominated from start to finish, scoring on nine of its 11 possessions, including touchdowns on all six of its possessions in the first half.

Led by offensive linemen Jose Zaragoza, Jesus Viera, Eddy Lares, Francisco Franco and Mark Hernandez, the Saints totaled 486 yards, with 426 coming on the ground.

“Those guys gashed us all night long,” said Laguna Beach coach John Shanahan. “If there was any opening, No. 5 (Jorge Briseno) or 20 (Allen Pacheco) was going to find it.”

Briseno did most of the damage, totaling 204 yards and five TDs on 30 carries. Pacheco added 142 yards and two TDs on 10 carries, and quarterback Damian Macias had 80 yards rushing to go with 60 yards passing and a throwing score.

“We live and die by our O-line,” said TeGantvoort. “We’re big, but more than that, we’re now blocking the right guys and adjusting to blitzes. The football intelligence is a lot better, and that took a lot of studying on their part.”

Santa Ana was pretty good on the other side of the ball as well, limiting the Breakers (8-5) to just 3 yards rushing and 180 total. The Saints also forced three turnovers on two fumbles and an interception, and added three sacks.

Laguna Beach quarterback Curtis Harrison completed 15 of 26 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

The game featured three kickoff returns for scores – all in the first half – by Santa Ana’s Pablo Aguirre, and Laguna Beach’s Bruce Knill and Adam Armstrong.

Contact the writer: magarcia@scng.com