GARDEN GROVE – Santiago coach Brandon Croft said his players knew they had dug themselves into a hole with their 0-2 start in league play and needed to find a way out.
The team found new life in speedy running back Aaron Ledezma, who rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns to help the Cavaliers trounce Bolsa Grande, 38-0, in a Garden Grove League game Friday at Garden Grove High.
“He’s hungry for an opportunity. He wants to prove that he can carry the rock,” Croft said. “He deserved a shot.”
Junior Ortega, the normal workhorse running back for Santiago (6-2, 1-2), rushed for 63 yards and one TD on 10 carries, focusing most of his energy on defense, where he intercepted a fourth-quarter pass to preserve the shutout.
Ledezma scored on runs of 70, 27 and 6 yards in the first half, running through huge holes and dodging would-be tacklers as the Cavaliers built a 32-0 lead.
Santiago’s undersized offensive line had its way with the Bolsa Grande defense, as the Cavaliers rushed for 268 yards while only passing the ball five times.
Quarterback Anthony Porras completed 12 of 23 passes for 130 yards and two interceptions for Bolsa Grande (1-7, 1-2).
