Rancho San Juan Defeated Santa Cruz 35-27
The Trailblazers overcame a 14-point deficit to secure a home victory.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Football
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Rancho San Juan secured a 35-27 victory over Santa Cruz on October 8, 2026. The win marked the first two-game winning streak for the team since 2021.
Why it matters
The comeback victory highlights a shift in team momentum following a flat first half. Increased player depth played a key role in wearing down the opposition.
Eric Gil and Elias Leao each recorded two rushing touchdowns, including runs of 53 and 40 yards respectively. Rancho San Juan scored 35 points in the second half alone to secure the win.
The players
Andrew Zarate
He is the head coach of the Rancho San Juan high school football team.
Eric Gil
He is a player for Rancho San Juan who scored two rushing touchdowns in the game.
Elias Leao
He is a player for Rancho San Juan who scored two rushing touchdowns in the game.
Julian Orteaga
He is a defensive player for Rancho San Juan who recorded two crucial sacks.
Marcus Perez
He is the quarterback for Rancho San Juan who threw a touchdown pass during the victory.
The details
After a difficult first half, head coach Andrew Zarate encouraged his players to have fun, sparking a comeback fueled by a special teams return and two sacks by Julian Orteaga. Marcus Perez also contributed by throwing a touchdown pass to Sinapati Tupuola-Vaiagae.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: Rancho San Juan defeated Santa Cruz.
2021: The last season Rancho San Juan held a winning streak.
Season Trajectory
This win brings Rancho San Juan to a 2-2 record in the Santa Lucia Division. The momentum shift improves the team's standing as they navigate the remainder of the league schedule.
The victory moves Rancho San Juan to an even 2-2 divisional record. The defensive effort, highlighted by a blocked extra point with 6:41 remaining, prevented a late Santa Cruz comeback.
The takeaway
Maintaining player depth and high energy through the second half proved vital for this comeback win. Coaches and teams looking to reverse mid-game deficits may find success by prioritizing momentum-shifting plays like defensive stops and special teams returns.
Further reading
For more local sports highlights, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sacramento Bee.
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