Sultans nearly shut out Sweetwater

SANTEE – The Santana Sultans posted 31 straight points before just losing their shutout bid in the closing seconds, easily topping visiting Sweetwater, 31-8, in a non-league game Friday at Santee Community Stadium.

The Sultans’ Trent Taylor had a 58-yard run on the game’s fourth possession in the first quarter on a counter to the left late in the first quarter.

Dylan Borcher forced a fumble that was recovered by Taylor at the Sweetwater, also in the first quarter, on the possession following the touchdown for Santana (1-0).

Santana sophomore quarterback Jayden Goldman then connected with Michael Valenzuela for a 40-yard touchdown for the Sultans’ second TD in less than three minutes.

After the Sultans took a 17-0 lead into halftime following a field goal by Andrew Schnitzer, Alex Rico completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Taylor with eight minutes left in the third quarter.

Santana recovered a fumble by Sweetwater and took over the ball on Sweetwater’s 24-yard line.

Schnitzer kicked his second field goal of the game with four minutes to play.

SuHi (0-1) scored on a 21-yard run by Xzavier Crews with two minutes to play.Santana quarterbacks Goldman and Alex Rico combined for 132 yards passing.

Linden Benson recorded a 34-yard touchdown run for Santana.

Santana plays on Aug. 31 at Coronado.