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Santa Ana Drops Season Opener to Moorpark, 36-35
SANTA ANA , CA – Despite beating Moorpark in every statistical category, the Santa Ana College (SAC) football team lost to the visiting Raiders, 36-35 in the season opener at Santa Ana Stadium.
Moorpark scored first on a 59-yard interception return five minutes into the game. SAC answered two minutes later when Kelly Bryson (Kamiak HS) scored on a one-yard rush, capping off an 18-yard drive after a 52-yard kickoff return by Phillip Van Holland (El Dorado HS).
The Raiders scored again later in the first quarter on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Randolph to Daniel Wolverton. The Dons were able to answer with less then a minute in the quarter when Pat Roxas (Orange Lutheran HS) scored SAC's second one-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Dons up 14-13. However, Randolph connected with Wolverton again, this time for 58-yards with six seconds left in the first quarter, putting the Raiders up 20-14.
Mark Iddins answered in the second quarter with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Matt Cardenas (El Dorado HS) putting the Dons at 21-20. The offensive shootout continued as the Raiders scored twice before the end of the half. The first score was a 48-yard touchdown pass from Randolph to Conrad Meadows, the second, a 26-yard field goal by Nico Grasu, putting Moorpark up 30-21 at halftime.
Kelly rushed for two more touchdowns in the second half, pulling the Dons within 30-28 with six minutes left in the game. However, Moorpark answered one minute after SAC's final score with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Randolph to Meadows sealing the victory for Moorpark.
Kelly rushed for 104 yards on 28 carries for the Dons while Iddins threw for 328 yards on 21-for-39 passing with one interception. SAC outgained Moorpark 472 yards to 395 yards. The Dons held the ball for almost 44 minutes of the game. It took the Raiders only 16 minutes to score their points. |
