Santa Rosa Academy puts it all together in 42-7 victory

 

Brendan Quesada celebrates after fighting through a crowd (photo below) for a touchdown. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Santa Rosa Academy football team won its third game in a row Saturday night, beating rival Temecula Prep, 42-7.

Capitalizing on nearly every second-half possession, the Rangers’ offense found a few key weapons to seal their victory. Quarterback Justin York rushed for two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions on the night. York rushed for over 70 yards on the night, as well.

Those yards contributed to Santa Rosa’s other touchdowns, which mostly came in the second half. Brody Worthington caught a touchdown pass from York early in the fourth quarter, and Daniel Gonzalez rushed for the last touchdown of the night, covering over 60 yards in that drive alone.

Head coach Perry Jones said Gonzalez was a key player alongside York, and that their success came from a solid returning group of linemen who set them up for it.

“The skill guys are like the branches on the tree, but it’s that returning offensive line who know what they’re doing and know how to grind that make the difference,” Jones said.

The Rangers started off a little slow with a scoreless first quarter and no notable drives. Jones said he had worried beforehand that it could start like that due to the heat, and he was concerned about how to deal with it. But a pick-six from Worthington got the wheels moving, then Century Castle scored a touchdown that gave the Rangers a 14-0 cushion going into the second half.

“My first touchdown set the course for everybody; we just kept pushing after that,” Castle said.

And they pushed hard, outgaining the Patriots 199-76 in yardage in the second half. On the other side of the ball, the Ranger defense only allowed two third-down conversions in the second half, neither of which led to a touchdown. The one touchdown the Patriots did rack up was one play after a fumble recovery just 10 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Aside from a few other turnovers, Santa Rosa was hit with a handful of penalties on the night -- something Jones said has two possible causes.

“We were moving around with new plays a lot, so that can lead to some growing pains,” said Jones. “We also have a lot of excitement. These are guys who are returning now and know what they’re doing and they’re just excited to do it, so that might lead to an extra hold here and there.”

With eight seniors on their roster who typically see action on both sides of the ball, this Santa Rosa team has reason for excitement in what Jones sees as a breakthrough year after a trying one last fall. But the win over their rival Saturday night isn’t what he hopes people know about his squad, but rather their camaraderie.

“I think for the first time we really have a brotherhood or fellowship,” said Jones. “They really do lean on each other, and that hadn’t been there in the past.”

“We do everything together,” Castle agreed. “We’re very tight; everyone can depend on each other to do what they need to do.”

The Rangers will be at home to face the California Military Institute next Friday at 7 p.m.

Brendan Quesada (11) struggles to keep possession of the ball as he dives for the end zone. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 

Linebacker Nick Welty (52) prepares to make the stop on a Temecula Prep player. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Wide receiver Century Castle looks back at a defender he beat to the end zone. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

Quarterback Justin York dives for the goal line during the Rangers' victory. (Photo by Rick Rowell)