Saugus Defense Stifles Thousand Oaks, 32-14

THOUSAND OAKS — It’s way too early to call Saugus’ defense the “Desert Swarm,” but the Centurions’ “Arizona defense” was good enough to stuff Thousand Oaks en route to a 32-14 victory Friday night at Thousand Oaks.

“Their linemen aren’t really known for their pass-blocking, and we probably have the quickest line Saugus has ever seen,” Saugus linebacker Matt Gillis said.

Thousand Oaks was held to 163 yards. Lancer quarterback Scott McEwan completed only two of 10 passes for 28 yards, and had two passes intercepted.

“We’ve been working really hard and we were ready for their passing game,” said Saugus defensive back Jesus Alvarado, who sacked McEwan to end the game.

Saugus’ “Arizona defense” features five down lineman and one rover, who plug holes and running lanes.

“Our defense lines up this way and nobody knows how to stop us,” Gillis said.

Saugus broke a 14-14 tie when quarterback Kevin Carrasco connected with receiver Richard Baker for a 25-yard touchdown pass play with 2:52 remaining in the third quarter.

Saugus started a drive on the Thousand Oaks 32 and scored on a one-yard run by Colin Butterfield to make the score 26-14 with 1:17 to play.

On Thousand Oaks’ next possession, Butterfield intercepted a pass by McEwan and ran it back 30 yards for another touchdown.

Thousand Oaks started the game with a 10-play, 65-yard drive that ate up 6:16 and culminated with Bill Sperry’s six-yard touchdown run.

Saugus countered on its next possession, driving 79 yards for its first score, a one-yard touchdown pass from Carrasco to Gillis. The two-point conversion attempt failed.