PREP FOOTBALL / GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE : DeLachica Packs Big Punch in Ocean View’s 13-9 Victory

SANTA ANA —  Ocean View’s biggest punch was delivered by one of its smallest players.

Wide receiver Jared DeLachica, who is 5 feet 8, 140 pounds, caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Taylor with 4 minutes 26 seconds left to rally Ocean View to a 13-9 Golden West League victory over Santa Ana Thursday night at Santa Ana Stadium.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Ocean View (3-5, 1-2) and handed Santa Ana (1-7, 0-3), all alone in the league cellar, its sixth loss in a row.

Ocean View running back Ted Norman, who rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown in 28 carries, had been the team’s most productive weapon for much of the game. However, with the game on the line and time running out, DeLachica responded with the biggest play, slipping behind the Saints’ secondary for the game-winning catch.

“Their guys lined up 10 yards off me and never paid me much attention,” DeLachica said. “I couldn’t believe I was so wide open. It was a great call.”

The score capped a 76-yard drive in five plays and came after Santa Ana took 9-6 lead late in the third quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Eddie Contreras.

The Saints had a chance to increase their lead early in the fourth quarter after driving to the Ocean View 23-yard line. But Ocean View tossed running back Ladon Robinson for consecutive losses and forced the Saints to punt with 5:49 remaining. It followed with its game-winning drive, which took less than two minutes.

Norman, who had a 119 yards rushing in the first half, gave Ocean View a 6-0 lead on a two-yard touchdown run with 7:24 left in the first quarter.