SANTA ANA – Six turnovers in the second half, including a fumble recovery and two interceptions, played important parts for Godinez in defeating Saddleback, 17-10, in an Orange Coast League game at Segerstrom High on Friday night.
An interception by Patrick McMorris with 34 seconds left in the contest wrapped up the victory for the visiting Grizzlies (3-4, 2-0), winners of three of their last four.
McMorris earlier recovered a fumble 2:31 into the third quarter that set up Godinez’s shortest scoring drive (10 yards). Four plays later, the Grizzlies took the lead for good on a 3-yard end run by Izak Verduzco.
The Roadrunners (3-4, 1-1) knotted the score at 10-10 after a high snap sailed over Andy Sosa to end the first half.
Sosa’s 28-yard field goal with 3:28 remaining in the second gave Godinez its second lead of the night to close a nine-play drive.
Saddleback led for the first time in the game when Angel Torres hit Nathan Ramirez on a 69-yard touchdown pass with 7:53 left before halftime. Valentine Perea’s run for a 2-point conversion pushed Saddleback ahead, 8-7. Perea tallied 57 yards on 18 carries while Torres passed for 101 yards.
After a scoreless first quarter, Godinez scored on Gerson Lopez’s 8-yard run 1:57 into the second. Lopez rushed for 51 yards and Sosa 57.
Godinez has beaten the Roadrunners in 6 of their 8 all-time meetings which date back to Nov. 9, 2009.
The Grizzlies will host Calvary Chapel at the SAUSD Sports Complex on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. and Saddleback will visit Laguna Beach on Fri. Oct. 21 at 7p.m.
