San Juan Capistrano, CA — San Juan Capistrano- 8.19.22- JSerra Football opened their 2022 campaign with a dominating 31-17 victory over the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers. With the win, the Lions avenged last season’s playoff loss to them. In the first quarter, both teams were getting out the first game jitters, with several three and outs from both sides. The Trailblazers would strike first on their second possession with a passing touchdown to make it 0-7. In the 2nd quarter, the Lions were reeling after a fumble backed them up to their own two-yard line with the Trailblazers looking to blow the game open. However, the Lion defense stood stall, forcing a field goal, and keeping the game in reach. On the ensuing possession, the Lions put together a sustained drive, led by QB Zander Singh and RB George Perez. The drive was capped off by a “QB keep” touchdown from Singh, making it a 7-10 ball game. The Trailblazers responded, scoring a touchdown with two seconds left in the half to make it 7-17 to close the half. After the break, the Lions erupted in the 3rd quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points to take a 28-17 lead. The turning point came when Jared Referente blocked a Sierra Canyon punt to give the Lions excellent field position to start the quarter. Just a few plays later, it was Referente again, this time with a 19-yard catch and run for a Lions’ touchdown. On the Lions’ next possession, Singh scrambled out of the pocket and found Pierce Tanghal for a 30-yard gain that put the Lions on the 1-yard line. Perez would come in to finish the drive with a 1-yard touchdown. The Lions put the game out of reach when Perez broke free for a 60-yard touchdown run, giving the Lions a 28-17 lead going into the 4th quarter. Head Coach Scott McKnight said that the key for the 2nd half turnaround was the players attitudes and belief in each other to keep fighting, “Our guys weren’t down at the half. We knew we were doing some good things on offense, so we chose to stick with our plan, there and then we made a few adjustments on defense, we settled down emotionally, and started to execute our game plan.” The Trailblazers would fight back, but the Lions defense proved to be too much for them to get any momentum back. The Lions would add a field goal in the fourth quarter and the game was capped off by an interception from Logan Christensen that allowed the Lions to run out the clock for 31-17 victory. Perez led the team with 16 carries for 139 yards. The Lions return to action this Friday when they travel north to face Chaminade High School, who are 1-0 as well after they defeated Oaks Christian 24-17.