Westminster Squeezes Past Saddleback

Westminster tailback Mike Cope ran for a 10-yard touchdown with 7 minutes 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Dan Frey’s extra point was the difference in the Lions’ 14-13 Golden West League victory over Saddleback Saturday at Santa Ana Stadium.

The victory kept Westminster (4-5, 3-1 in league) in the hunt for the league championship.

The loss eliminated Saddleback (3-6, 1-3) from playoff consideration.

Saddleback took a 13-6 lead with 4:40 left in the third quarter after Westminster’s Erick Arthur fumbled at the Lion 27. Three plays later, Saddleback’s Joseph Tagaloa scored on an 11-yard run for his second touchdown of the game.

However, the extra-point attempt by Saddleback kicker Carlos Rangel was wide left.

Rangel had missed a 35-yard field-goal attempt on the Roadrunners’ previous possession.

Cope, who rushed for 98 yards in 11 carries, set up his game-winning score with a 33-yard run to the Roadrunner 19. Two plays later, Cope ran through the middle of the Saddleback defense for the touchdown.

Saddleback got the ball back at its 42 and moved it to the Lion 39 when quarterback Daniel Bermudez’s pass was intercepted by Phillip Jenkins.

Westminster could not run out the clock and was forced to punt with less than a minute left. Saddleback had time for a few more plays, but Brad Davis intercepted a Bermudez pass to end the game.

The Lions host first-place Tustin (9-0, 4-0) Friday.