ANAHEIM – Savanna spotted city rival Magnolia 15 points in their Orange League opener on Friday at Western High School.
Then, behind the strength of their running game and a clutch defensive play, the Rebels rebounded and came away with 35-24 victory.
The leaders of the running attack were Josh Wilkinson, who carried 25 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, and Logan Thomas, who ran for 87 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
All five touchdowns for the Rebels (3-3, 1-0) came on drives of more than 50 yards and ate up big chunks of time.
“We needed to keep the ball away from them,” Savanna coach Roger Whalen said.
Savanna was lined up to punt on the game’s opening drive when the snap sailed over the punter’s head, giving Magnolia (2-4, 0-1) the ball on the Rebels’ 7-yard line.
The Sentinels took advantage with a 4-yard scoring pass from Fernando Garcia to Lupe Lopez.
A 44-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Mekhi Pelzer made the score 15-0.
But then Savanna took control and outscored the Sentinels, 28-3, from late in the first quarter to early in the fourth.
And a big interception from Thomas gave a huge lift to the Rebels right before the half
Savanna was leading, 21-15, with less than two minutes left in the half when three personal-foul penalties on the Rebels gave the Sentinels a first down on the Savanna 17.
But instead of coming away with points right before the half and possibly taking the lead, Magnolia came up empty, thanks Thomas’ interception.
Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com
