Santa Ana Valley Defeated La Quinta 10-7
Robert Torres kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired to secure the victory.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Football
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Santa Ana Valley edged past La Quinta in a 10-7 victory held at Garden Grove High. A late-game 27-yard field goal from Robert Torres decided the outcome as time expired.
Why it matters
The win solidifies Santa Ana Valley's position in the Tango League standings as teams compete for guaranteed playoff berths. With only the top four teams qualifying, every league win remains critical for post-season contention.
Santa Ana Valley moved to a 6-2 overall record and 4-2 in league play, while La Quinta fell to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in league competition. The game featured a 20-yard touchdown pass from Angel Garcia to Jason Valencia and a scoring pass from Isley Latu to Lelan Latu.
The players
Robert Torres
He is the kicker for Santa Ana Valley who successfully converted the game-winning 27-yard field goal.
Angel Garcia
He is a quarterback for Santa Ana Valley who connected on a 20-yard touchdown pass during the game.
Jason Valencia
He is a player for Santa Ana Valley who caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Isley Latu
He is a player for Santa Ana Valley who threw a touchdown pass during the contest.
Lelan Latu
He is a player for Santa Ana Valley who recorded a touchdown reception.
The details
Santa Ana Valley secured their final possession after a partially blocked punt gave them the ball at the La Quinta 29-yard line. This setup allowed for the game-winning field goal attempt on the final play of the game.
Timeline
The game between Santa Ana Valley and La Quinta took place on October 8, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This result keeps Santa Ana Valley in the running for one of the four guaranteed playoff berths available in the Tango League. The win reinforces their third-place standing and complicates the playoff path for La Quinta as the season reaches its final weeks.
Santa Ana Valley holds third place in the Tango League, placing them firmly within the group currently slated for a guaranteed playoff berth. La Quinta must now look to future matchups to improve their standing and avoid falling out of contention for the top four positions.
The takeaway
Securing a close victory in the final seconds highlights the importance of special teams and field position in high-stakes league games. Teams maintaining high consistency in these areas remain the most likely to capture the limited available playoff spots.
Further reading
For more updates on local sports, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Orange County Register.
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