Santa Ana Valley Retains Playoff Hopes

SANTA ANA — Koa Bartlett caught five passes for 100 yards and scored three touchdowns in Santa Ana Valley’s 21-14 victory over Orange in a Century League game in front of about 3,000 Friday at Santa Ana Stadium

The Falcons (3-6, 2-2) have a shot at the playoffs if they defeat Foothill next Friday. Santa Ana Valley is fourth in the Century League. There is a three-way tie for first.

Bartlett’s first touchdown came on a 10-yard pass from Rolando Ramirez, capping a seven-play, 73-yard drive to tie the score, 7-7, with 4:06 remaining in the first quarter. With 48 seconds left in the quarter, the receiver caught a 30-yard pass to give the Falcons a 13-7 lead after Robert Blanco’s kick for the extra point went wide right.

Santa Ana Valley’s defense held the Panthers (3-6, 1-3) to 38 receiving yards. Defensive back Larry Chavez intercepted a pass by Orange quarterback Zach Bell in the second quarter.

“Our defense did great tonight,” Bartlett said. “If it wasn’t for the defense, I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to score.”

After Bartlett scored on a 66-yard punt return in the second quarter to make it 21-7. Orange answered with an 80-yard kick return by Bell. He was shoved out of bounds at the Falcon one-yard line. Eduardo Javier scored on the next play to cut Valley’s lead to seven.