Saugus’ redemption
Centurions come back in epic fashion to defeat upstart West Ranch
By Joey Gulino
Signal Staff Writer
Too often this season, Saugus hasn’t been able to get out of its own way.
The team has been sloppy and ineffective, nothing like the program that has risen so far the last few years.
Thanks to an epic drive during Friday’s homecoming game – a 19-play, 97-yard march that devoured the fourth quarter and beat West Ranch – the Centurions looked like their old selves.
Homecoming, indeed.
Quarterback Zack Gauthier completed five passes for 68 yards on the final drive, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jon Aguirre with 1:13 left, and Saugus rallied to beat upstart West Ranch 26-22 at College of the Canyons.
The victory is the first since week one for Saugus (2-6, 1-1), which played a tough pre-league schedule that led to some trying times.
“It’s been a challenging season so far,” said Saugus head coach Jason Bornn. “You play the schedule you play, and you want to start fresh in league. It was a monkey on our back we shook off tonight.”
West Ranch (4-3, 1-1) was also trying to get a monkey off its back.
The Wildcats had never beaten a Foothill League team other than Golden Valley, but they were in position to do so late in the game.
“If this is a test of character, we passed it,” said West Ranch head coach Sean O’Brien. “We didn’t give up, ever. Give credit to Saugus. Everything I’m saying about us you could say about them.”
With a 22-19 lead, West Ranch quarterback Connor Eichten methodically moved the Wildcats (4-3, 1-1) deep into Saugus territory early in the fourth quarter.
But on fourth-and-1 at the Saugus 3, West Ranch tailback Zak Snell was stuffed at the line of scrimmage and Saugus took over.
“I think the defense competed and battled,” Bornn said. “I’m really proud of the unit.”
Gauthier and the offense took over from there. Running back Chris Wolford, who replaced an injured Tyler Watt in the second half, rushed for a total of 23 yards on the first four plays.
Three plays later, Gauthier hit wide receiver Manny Padron on the right sideline for 15 yards. Gauthier and Padron hooked up four times for 54 yards on the final drive, including a 10-yard pass play on fourth-and-5 at the West Ranch 26.
“Me and Manny have been best friends since freshman year,” Gauthier said. “I know where he’s going to be, where he’s going to cut.”
Aguirre cut left in the end zone on fourth-and-8 at the West Ranch 14, and Gauthier found him for a touchdown that sent the Saugus sideline into bedlam.
Padron picked off Eichten on the ensuing drive, and Saugus ran out the clock.
It was a fitting end, since Padron started the game by scoring Saugus’ first touchdown.
That play was an 11-yard pass from Gauthier early in the first quarter, and after forcing a West Ranch punt, the Centurions went ahead 12-0 on a 5-yard scamper by Watt.
Both two-point conversion attempts failed.
West Ranch got on the board early in the second quarter. An interception by Matt Bruns set up West Ranch at the Saugus 17, and Eichten found tight end James McGough with a 1-yard jump pass on fourth-and-goal to cut the lead to 12-6.
Late in the second quarter, Brady Stuart kicked a 23-yard field goal, and after West Ranch forced a punt, Eichten hit Chris Kim for a 46-yard touchdown that stunned the Centurions and gave the Wildcats a 15-12 halftime lead.
“It’s very hard to be more precise,” O’Brien said. “We’re going to have to get beaten with this kind of effort.”
Saugus responded with a long drive in the third quarter, a series that was highlighted by Gauthier and Watt grinding out yards on the ground. Gauthier scored from a yard out to put Saugus up 19-15.
A 68-yard pass from Eichten to wideout Josh Guzman on the ensuing possession set up the Wildcats’ final touchdown, a 1-yard run by fullback Trevin Manuel.
“West Ranch has really continued to grow and improve, which is really good for our league,” Bornn said.
Gauthier finished 19-of-28 for 290 yards, while Watt had 16 carries for 61 yards. Padron had seven catches for 74 yards, while James Weiner had seven catches for 89 yards, all in the first half.
Eichten was 14-of-26 for 291 yards and Snell had 21 carries for 74 yards.
Guzman had 92 yards receiving, and Chris Kim had five receptions for 84 yards.
(Photo courtesy of Francisca Rivas (The Signal))
