Valencia football keeps rolling, routs rival Saugus

VALENCIA — The Valencia football team kept on rolling in their homecoming game Friday night as they defeated league rival Saugus 55-14 to win their 14th straight Foothill League game. With this win and the 48-0 win over West Ranch last week, Valencia has outscored their league opponents 103-14 over the first two weeks of Foothill league play this season.

Senior quarterback Brady Bretthauer led the way offensively for the Vikings, finishing the game eight of ten for 193 yards with four passing touchdowns and also ran the ball seven times for 101 yards with two rushing touchdowns. Five of Bretthauer’s six touchdowns in the game came in the first half before he was pulled out at the end of the third quarter.

“It’s easy for me when I got a bunch of great athletes and a great O-line around me,” Bretthauer said. “The standard here is the standard. It’s not about who we’re playing and what color jersey is in front of us, it’s about playing our best football.”

The Valencia defense was strong throughout the game, putting constant pressure on quarterback Jake Nuttall and giving the Saugus ballcarriers very little open space. The Vikings defense finished with five sacks and also forced two turnovers.

One of the turnovers was an Anthony Vernon strip that he took back 46 yards for a Valencia touchdown in the third quarter to give Valencia a 55-7 lead at the time. Vernon also had an offensive touchdown on a 48-yard reception in the first quarter.

“It feels great to get the win. We executed perfectly and this is what happens,” Vernon said. “Our defense puts in work. We don’t have any selfishness on this team and the result tonight showed what happens.”

Nico Funez finished the game with two catches for 68 yards and two first-half touchdowns for Valencia. Elias Holloway had three catches for 52 yards and also a 44-yard touchdown run for Valencia while doing a good job in coverage defensively in the game as well.

Valencia running back and Washington commit Brian Bonner ran the ball three times for 47 yards in the game. Carson De Leon had an interception for Valencia and Caleb Larson had a sack and two tackles for loss for the Vikings.

The game was also an emotional one for Valencia and coach Larry Muir, as Friday was the seventh anniversary of former Valencia football player and Marine sergeant Jake Solley’s passing.

“Jake loved Valencia football so much,” Muir said. “He would have been so proud of this team’s effort and continuous fight.”

Valencia improved to 5-1 with the win and will have a bye next week before taking on Canyon. Saugus is now 4-2 and will look to win its first league game of the season next week against Canyon.