SANTA ANA – Sophomore Jason Wilkinson’s 1-yard run with 4:49 to play in the game made the difference as Santa Ana Valley held on to beat Anaheim, 21-17, in an Orange League finale at the Santa Ana Sports Complex on Friday night.
The Falcons (4-5-1, 4-1) secure second place in league with the victory and have won four of their past five to close the regular season.
A couple of third-down conversions on Santa Ana Valley’s winning drive led to Wilkinson’s score, including a 21-yard reception by Eddie Cabrera that moved the Falcons to the Colonists 19.
Wilkinson was 15 for 21 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown, which came midway through the third quarter on a 16-yard strike to junior Chris Hernandez that put Santa Ana Valley ahead, 14-10. Hernandez set up his lone score and lone reception by returning an interception 84 yards five minutes into the quarter.
Hernandez added 117 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown late in the second quarter.
Anaheim (4-6, 2-3) jumped ahead, 17-14, after Brandon Lopez scored from a yard out on a keeper just 14 seconds into the fourth quarter, concluding a 16-play, 74-yard drive that lasted 6:30 and did not include any passing plays.
Lopez had 14 rushes for 43 yards and completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Richard Sanchez that put the Colonists ahead, 7-0, with 4:26 remaining in the first quarter.
Anaheim’s Joel Montes de Oca rushed for 129 yards.
