West Ranch defeated Saugus 43-6 on the back of five touchdowns from quarterback Ryan Staub and stifling defensive effort.

Despite a 5-0 record that included three shutouts and an overall victory margin of 198 points, West Ranch High School’s toughest test awaited them Friday evening in a matchup with two-time league champion Saugus. To be the champ, you have to beat the champ. West Ranch did just that, and in dominating fashion.

“I feel real good. I thought after St. Francis and St. Paul that we would have some questions answered, and really just kind of didn’t know coming into this game, but I think we came out and answered some questions tonight,” West Ranch Head Coach Chris Varner said after his team’s 43-6 victory over Saugus on Friday night.

Wildcats quarterback Ryan Staub threw for five touchdowns and the West Ranch defense had three takeaways as this game became one-sided by the third quarter.

After winning the coin flip and electing to receive, Staub and the Wildcats wasted no time, connecting with his favorite target, wideout Chaz Hilst for a 15-yard score. 

Staked to a 9-0 lead thanks to a field goal on their next drive, West Ranch watched as quarterback TJ Cataldi found AJ Goodman wide open down the field for a 91-yard touchdown, Saugus’  lone touchdown in the game.

But just two plays into the next Wildcat drive, Staub and Hilst hooked up again, this time on a 72-yard bomb to put West Ranch on top 15-6.

“He’s one of the best receivers in Southern California,” Staub said of Hilst. “One of the most under-recruited receivers in Southern California.”

The Wildcats never looked back from there. With a 23-6 lead entering the locker room at halftime, West Ranch had no plans to take their foot off the pedal. After forcing turnovers on each of Saugus’ first two drives to open the second half, the Wildcats added another score on a 10-yard rush from Ty Depereno, set up by a long run from Staub.

Later, Staub completed a 39-yard touchdown pass to Maverick Diaz down the sideline, giving West Ranch a 36-6 lead and putting little doubt about the outcome in this one.

“Every game is a big game, but this one had a little more on it,” Staub said. “Last year they got the best of us, and it looked a lot different this year.”

Different indeed. With over 20 touchdown passes through the air and multiple on the ground, Staub simply cannot be stopped this year by any opponent. Should the Colorado commit continue to play at this high level, the Foothill League standings may look different from last year’s as well.

With the win, West Ranch improves to (6-0) (2-0 League) and Saugus drops to (4-2) (1-1 League). West Ranch will look to continue their dominance next week at Hart with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. while Saugus will enter their bye week.

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