Beckman runs over Loara and into semifinals
TUSTIN - Beckman got more than 400 yards and six touchdowns from its running game to oust Loara, 59-42, on Friday in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division at Tustin High.
It is the first time the Patriots (7-5) have advanced to the semifinals.
“I’m happy for these kids,” Patriots coach Fred Shambaugh. “They are excited and hungry and they are going to go after Corona del Mar next week.”
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The Sea Kings (10-1-1) will face the Patriots, who defeated Anaheim, 35-0.
It will be the second time the teams play each other this season. The Sea Kings emerged with a 17-15 Pacific Coast League victory that night, but Shambaugh is not concerned with the past.
“We’re a different team now,” he said. “You learn from that game but you also have to throw it out.”
Running back Jeff Kim performed brilliantly against the Saxons (10-2). He had 21 carries for 315 yards and three touchdowns.
“It was all about the offensive line,” Kim said. “All I had to do was run through the holes.”
Zack Rivera added 108 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries for the Patriots. He also threw a 62-yard touchdown to Will Barring in the third quarter to put the Patriots up, 45-28.Barring had two catches for 71 yards and a TD.
Quarterback Howard Gauta put up huge numbers for the Saxons in defeat. He was 22 of 34 passing for 311 yards and one touchdown and had 25 carries for 158 yards and five touchdowns.
He rushed for 113 yards in the first half alone, scoring three of his touchdowns in the half.
Wide receiver Robert Owens also had a good game for the Saxons. He had seven catches for 140 yards and one touchdown.
He put the Saxons ahead 28-24 at halftime thanks to Gauta’s great athleticsm.
On first-and-goal from the 8 with eight seconds left in the half, Gauta took the snap from the shotgun. The Patriots defense quickly chased him out of the pocket toward the right hashmarks.
Gauta broke two tackles, reversed his field and got to the left sideline. By that time, Owens found a hole in the Patriots coverage and Gauta hit him with an accurate spiral for the score.
But the Saxons would not score again for another 14 minutes.
The Patriots shutout the Saxons 21-0 in the third quarter and that proved to be the difference in the game.
“Our defense played great (in the quarter) and they contained Gauta,” Shambaugh said.
The Patriots had four takeaways in the game, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
