Saffel’s score lifts Chargers

The Huntington Beach Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee division Gold Chargers won another nail-biter Saturday over the Tustin Gold Cobras, 12-6.

Behind the blocks of Paul Rogers and Jonathan Moreida, Mike Saffell scored the winning touchdown in overtime for the Chargers.

The Cobras scored first in a quarterback sneak and HB ended the first half down, 6-0. On their first possession of the second half, Chase Ault ran the ball 60 yards for a touchdown behind great downfield blocking.

The Chargers hung tough and forced several turnovers, including a fumble recovered by Bobby Cruz Romero. Griffin O’Connor also had a great game with several chain-moving clutch catches, and Shaun Colamonico shut down the Cobras’ best receiver and prevented several long passes.

In overtime, each team had four downs to score, but the Chargers held tough with an interception by Ault at the one-yard line.

On the Chargers’ possession, Ault ran the ball to the two-yard line, while Saffell pounded the ball to the goal line but was stopped inches short. But he wouldn’t be denied on the second rush, powering into the end zone as the Chargers secured their spot in the playoffs.

HB Green Mighty Mite Chargers 33, Tustin Gold Cobras 6: The Chargers scored on the first play of the game and never looked back. Cameron Mase scored three first-half touchdowns while Nicholas Upstill and Willy Earthman scored touchdowns in the second half. Miles McCord had an interception and Zack Grove had a sack for the Chargers (5-1).

On defense, Connor Sanford, Clay Anthony, Stone Sharpe, Nathan Navia, Tanner Nelson, Ryan Bala and Adam Beerck held the Gold Cobras to just one touchdown.

ROLLER HOCKEY

Junior high in-line hockey debuted Monday night at the Rinks in Huntington Beach. Team Holy Rollers, made up of Sts. Simon and Jude and St. Bonaventure junior high skaters, soundly defeated Mesa View Middle School by a score of 9-0.

Holy Roller goalie Kevin Baumann shut out the Mesa View squad, while winger Alex Buyan scored four goals, defenseman Jeffrey Beko had three goals and three assists and Drew Truxaw recorded a goal and two assists.

Karson Derego, of Talbert Middle School, added one goal, Toby Costa had an assist and Jack Truxaw, along with Baumann, led the defense to an impressive shutout. Mesa View goalie Tyler Gealy stoped 25 shots.