After a 3-1 start to the 2026 season, Saugus football had a simple goal as the Centurions began the Foothill League season Friday against Golden Valley: go 1-0 every week.
Following a 49-21 road victory over the Grizzlies at Canyon High School, the Centurions improved to 4-1 on the season and carried out their goal of starting 1-0 in Foothill League play.
“You want to start league play with your best performance to date. That’s what preseason is all about, getting ready for the rigors and competition of the Foothill League,” Saugus head coach Jason Bornn said. “I was very pleased that we were able to execute tonight in several phases of our game.”
The Centurions’ (4-1, 1-0) defense proved key for Bornn throughout the game with timely takeaways and three-and-outs.
On the first drive of the game, Saugus’ defense forced a three-and-out on the Grizzlies (2-3, 0-1) from their own 14-yard line. Golden Valley punted the ball, and the punt return handed the Centurions possession in the red zone.
The Centurions capitalized on the field position with Mono Ortega cashing it in for a 3-yard touchdown.
After the game, Bornn spoke on the defense’s ability to stop Golden Valley’s offense but still believed there are aspects he wants to clean up and improve on.
“I think we have some things to clean up,” he said. “We’ve got to get better, because we know the level of competition that we’re going to see moving forward in the Foothill League.”
Saugus’ defense held Golden Valley quarterback Jaxon Ray to seven completions out of the sophomore’s 12 pass attempts for 79 yards along with an interception.
As for Aaron McCormick, the Centurions held the senior running back to 43 yards and the two touchdowns on the ground.
While Saugus’ defense held the Grizzlies to 21 points, the Centurions’ offense proved too much for Golden Valley.
The Centurions alternated junior Brayden Connelly and freshman Zach Barnes throughout the game at quarterback, and each saw success.
Connelly tossed for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Barnes threw for two of his own touchdowns and 98 yards in 12 of 13 pass attempts.
Bornn said he was glad to see both players respond to the “two-QB system” well and said that he and the coaching staff believe each player provides their own unique skill set that can be mismatchedfor opposing defenses.
“They’re both bringing unique skill sets to their game, and they both are highly competitive. They both want to win and excel,” Bornn said. “As far as we’re concerned, it’s going to keep going until further notice.”
The Centurions improved to 4-1 on the season and are winners of their last four games after a season-opening loss to Agoura.
Bornn is looking for his Centurions to celebrate Friday’s win over Golden Valley quickly and prepare smartly next week.
“We’re going to celebrate the success that we were able to achieve tonight,” Bornn said. “We’ll regroup and look at the film and try to learn from our mistakes that we made tonight and then we’ll get ready for Hart, just like we do every other week.”
The Centurions will look to build upon their early-season momentum Friday against the Hart Hawks at College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
The loss dropped the Grizzlies to 2-3 on the season. They will look to bounce back next week in a matchup against the Cowboys Friday at Canyon High School with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
For more on Brayden Connelly’s performance, watch his postgame interview here.
For more on Zack Barnes’ performance, watch his postgame interview here.
