SAV looks special as it knocks off Beckman
SANTA ANA - Somebody was yelling about it being Santa Ana Valley’s biggest victory since the 1970s.
Stars of that Falcons’ ’70s show such as Myron White and Garry Templeton were not on the Santa Ana Stadium field Thursday night. But there were quite a few guys wearing the Valley blue and gold who made big plays in Valley’s 27-24 victory over Beckman.
Alex Hernandez rushed for 125 yards on 25 carries, including one in the fourth quarter for 44 yards and a touchdown that supplied the winning points. Quarterback Joe Mohr threw two touchdown passes.
The unrelated Nietos, linebacker Daniel and defensive tackle Vincente, provided crucial tackles, safety Daniel Salgado had two interceptions and linebacker Uriel Arreola had one that he returned 26 yards for a touchdown.
The Falcons (2-0) have made the playoffs four of the past five years and were Orange League co-champions last season.
But this season is starting to look like something special.
“This was big,” Vincente Nieto said. “But we’ve got to get better for next week.”
Valley, ranked No. 10 in the CIF-Southern Section’s Southern Division, plays host to Irvine at Santa Ana Stadium next Thursday. Beckman (0-1), No. 2 in the Southern Division, plays Foothill next Friday at Tustin High.
Valley took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, on a 57-yard touchdown pass from Mohr to Abraham Tapia and Arreola’s interception return.
Beckman tied it, 14-14, in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Devin Aguilar and a 9-yard touchdown pass from Quinn O’Dell to Nick White.
In the third quarter, Valley took the lead for good on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Mohr to Jeremy Crow. Sebastien Valerio kicked a 20-yard field goal to cut the Valley lead to 20-17, but Hernandez long scoring run pushed the Falcons’ lead to 10.
White caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from O’Dell with 3:51 to go.
Valley controlled the ball in the remaining time.
, collecging first downs on runs by Hernandez and a third-down pass from Mohr to Hernandez.
