After a back-and-forth road win over Camarillo last week, the Saugus football team returned home this week looking to close its non-league slate on top over the visiting Hueneme Vikings of Oxnard.
By the end, the Centurions cruised past the Vikings, 55-7, with an all-around effort and began the season 3-1 Thursday at College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium.
“Our kids did what they were supposed to do. That’s a very well-coached team,” Saugus head coach Jason Bornn said. “We struggled in the first half to slow down their offense. If it wasn’t for a couple of turnovers, this game could’ve been tied.”
For Bornn, the win presented another opportunity to play both junior Brayden Connelly and freshman Zach Barnes at quarterback.
Both players have started in games this season, and on Thursday’s win were rotated throughout the game.
Barnes tossed for two touchdowns and completed five for seven pass attempts with 83 yards and an interception.
Connelly, who’s a left-handed gunslinger and led the Centurions to a game-winning drive in last week’s win over Camarillo, completed six for nine passes, tossed two touchdowns and threw for 140 yards.
After the game, Bornn said that both quarterbacks have a lot to offer when they operate in their respective starts, and that he will continue to rotate both quarterbacks with the success on offense.
“There isn’t a manual that tells you how to play two quarterbacks that you’re confident in and comfortable with. So, we’re just doing the best we can to manage that,” Bornn said. “Each of them hasdifferent strengths and different areas that they excel at. Our plan is to continue doing what we’re doing and roll with whatever system we’re going to do.”
In total, the Centurions’ offense managed seven touchdowns throughout the night with three of the scores produced by the running backs.
Jordan Medina, Mono Ortega and Jeremiah Caradine all scored for the Centurions, and each were given the opportunity to score in part due to the offensive line.
“We’re extremely proud of the guys that we have. These kids have been playing together for four, full years, and this is their senior year,” Bornn said. “We’re just fortunate and blessed to have running backs that, you know, if they pop the line of scrimmage and your DBs don’t tackle them, they’re going to score.”
With the 3-1 start, the Centurions began the season above .500 for the second consecutive year.
As the Centurions eye the Foothill League season, which is set to begin next week, Bornn is keen to build upon the early-year momentum, fight for a playoff bid and improve to be the best team possible.
“We’re going to debrief about tonight’s contest. We have a lot of things to clean up and get better at,” Bornn said. “The Foothill League is ultra-competitive, parity is the name of the game out here and every week is going to be a one-game playoff and everybody’s going to prepare that way, and so are we.”
The Centurions match up next Friday against the Golden Valley Grizzlies, who are 2-2 following a loss to Burbank on Thursday night.
Friday’s game between the Centurions and Grizzlies is scheduled for kickoff at 7 p.m. at Canyon High School.
