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Mark Garcia. Print Team and Sports Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – Segerstrom has relied on its ground attack throughout the season.

Sparked by running backs Denilson Santamaria, Kishon Allen and Julian Viglienty, the Jaguars have averaged over 200 yards a game on the ground. Segerstrom again pounded the ball Friday night, but instead of Santamaria, Allen and Viglienty, the Jaguars dug deeper on their depth chart to produce their biggest victory of the season.

Led by junior Keith Morales and senior JC Caravez – who combined for 206 yards rushing – the fourth-seeded Jaguars defeated city rival Santa Ana Valley, 17-7, in a CIF-Southern Section Division 12 first-round game at Segerstrom High.

Morales carried seven times for 80 yards – 66 of which came on a thrilling touchdown run that woke up the crowd and tied the score a 7 late in the first half.

Caravez, who finished with a game-high 126 yards rushing, provided the team’s other big offensive play with a 91-yard run in the fourth quarter that set up Segerstrom’s final score – a 5-yard touchdown catch by Morales from quarterback Marcos Avalos with 8:04 to play.

“That was huge,” said Jaguars coach Joe Tagaloa of the scoring run. “We were going no huddle to try to keep them off balance…and then he just popped one.”

Santa Ana Valley wasted no time scoring as Chris Hernandez capped off a 75-yard, 6 play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run – his 25th touchdown of the season – on the Falcons first possession of the game. A 40-yard reception on the game’s first play by Malcom Wesley, and a 17-yard run by quarterback Sherman Thomas sparked the 2-minute drive.

Thomas completed 9-of-21 passes for 115 yards, and rushed for a team-high 65 yards, but threw two key interceptions in the fourth quarter – one caught by Morales and the other by strong safety Francisco Padilla.

Segerstrom ended with 311 total yards, but committed nine penalties for 70 yards. The Falcons finished with 225 total yards.

Segerstrom (10-1) advances to the quarterfinals where it will host Calvary Chapel of Murrieta, which defeated Silver Valley on Friday, 49-21.

Segerstrom’s defensive line – led by Adrian Lopez, Cristian Carmona, David Sevilla, Andrew Magana, Johnny Jimenez and Emerson Aldama harassed Thomas all night, finishing with two sacks and seven tackles for losses.

Santa Ana Valley finished its season at 5-6.

Contact the writer: magarcia@scng.com