For the first time since 2016, Saugus football remains undefeated in non-league play as the Centurions blew out Hueneme on the road Thursday.
Saugus defeated the Vikings, 46-0, as the team moved to 4-0 with Foothill League action set to begin next week.
“Our kids played extremely well,” head coach Jason Bornn said. “We went out and executed our game plan and the kids did a great job, and they did what they needed to get the win.”
The Centurions jumped out quickly to a commanding 14-0 lead over the Vikings. Saugus quarterback Jake Nuttall and receiver Landon Lattimore connected for two touchdowns in the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, with possession on Hueneme’s 30-yard line, Nuttall linked with Lattimore again for a 21-yard gain and set up the Centurions’ offense in the red zone.
On the following play, running back Ty Hall punched the ball into the end zone for a touchdown and extended their lead over Hueneme.
“Our offensive line is doing a phenomenal job of protecting Jake when he drops back to pass,” Bornn said. “And the fact that our run game is highly effective, it allows for us to call these pass plays and for things to open up a little bit, because we’re not one-dimensional. We can either run it, or we can throw it. And because of that, they complement each other.”
Saugus took a 37-0 lead over the Vikings going into halftime following Teddy Knott scoring a punt return for a touchdown.
And Nuttall kept up the momentum by completing a pass to tight end Nathan Hernandez for a touchdown in the closing minutes of the half.
With the offense clicking at the right time and every player contributing on that side of the ball, it’s left Bornn impressed with their game plan execution.
“I credit it to several different factors,” Bornn said. “The fact is we got some talented young men who understand what we’re trying to accomplish in terms of offensive football.”
Following halftime, Hall broke off for a 31-yard rushing touchdown for the last six-point play for Saugus of the night.
“He’s a leader and a vocal leader leading with his actions and he’s a dynamic force on our campus,” Bornn said. “And that just naturally carries over into the football program and he’s everything that you want as a coach. He’s willing to do all the things that some players may not want to do, but he’s willing to do those. And as a result, he gets rewarded by just doing an outstanding job, catching and running and doing all the things that we need to do.”
In the fourth quarter, kicker Jacob Blickhan kicked a 35-yard field goal and Saugus took a 46-0 lead over the Vikings in what would be the final result.
Following the last game in non-league portion of the schedule, Bornn is pleased with what he’s seen from the team so far this year but believes there is still more to improve on.
“We’ve closed the chapter on a preseason, and with the way that things transpired and finished out, we’re pleased but we’re not content,” Bornn said. “We’ve got to continue to grow and get better each and every week. And as we enter into the league, everything at this point is a one-game playoff every week for the next six weeks.”
Saugus starts Foothill League action as the visiting team against Hart at College of the Canyons next Friday.
