Three Backs Lead Tustin Past Saddleback

Branden Malcom rushed for 223 yards in 20 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead Tustin to a 28-14 victory over Saddleback in a Golden West League game Friday at Santa Ana Stadium.

“They never really stopped us,” Tustin Coach Myron Miller said.

The Tillers (5-4, 3-1 in league) ran for 398 yards, keeping the Roadrunners’ defense off balance with their three-back set. James Sargent added two touchdowns and gained 109 yards in 15 carries. David Little added 63 yards in nine carries.

“We all should get the ball,” Malcom said. “We’ve all got talent, and that’s what makes us so dangerous.”

Malcom scored on a five-yard run and a 47-yard run in the first quarter, giving the Tillers a 14-point lead.

Saddleback (3-5-1, 2-2) answered with a 23-yard touchdown pass play from Sal Pedroza to his brother Emmanuel to open the second quarter. Sal Pedroza completed 20 of 31 pass attempts for 263 yards. Emmanuel Pedroza had 75 yards on five receptions.

Sargent scored on a 12-yard run on the ensuing drive, but the Roadrunners responded with a three-yard touchdown run by Joel Gonzalez, narrowing the deficit to 21-14 at halftime.

The Tillers’ defense stepped up in the second half behind three sacks from Derek Johnson. Saddleback was also held to minus 12 yards rushing in the half.

“We were bitter after losing last week, so we had a good week at practice and stepped up tonight,” Johnson said.

Tustin put the game out of reach with a four-yard run by Sargent late in the fourth quarter.