Three interceptions. Two fumble recoveries. One team victory.

Everything went right for the Warriors as they rushed into the Snake Pit and emerged with a 40-23 victory over the Gauchos at Saddleback College Saturday night.

“We know we have our hands full every time we come here,” coach John Featherstone said. “So, it’s a good win for us.”

The defense started off strong as defensive lineman Tomasi Manuatu shook up Gaucho quarterback Ricky Bautista with an early sack.

Throughout the game sophomore kicker Eddie Garcia knocked in four field goals.

“I felt pretty confident actually on this game just cause of the great week of practice I had,” Garcia said. “I have (their) back so they can rely on me.”

The Warriors hit the Gauchos with a three-headed rushing attack, led by Kendall Sparks who rushed for 143 yards.

When the team got intothe redzone they called onto a familiar name but not one typically coming from the backfield.

The guy the Warriors called on was their 6 feet 1 inch, 325 pound offensive lineman Cory Sanicky, also known as tank.

Sanicky scored three touchdowns throughout the game which bolstered the Warriors lead.

“I felt pretty tired but pretty good at the same time,” Sanicky said. “I just had to run the ball.”

The Warriors held this strong lead throughout the game, but in the fourth quarter, the Gauchos began a much needed comeback.

The Gauchos would go on a four play 49 yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Drake Griffin.

After the score the Warriors buckled down and continued it’s lockdown defense as they saw Michael Jurado nab three interceptions.

“They were on my head, so I had to come out second half and at least get a couple back,” Jurado said.

In the end, Jurado intercepted three passes and defensive back Ardis Perez intercepted one.

With less than three minutes left, there was still a chance for the Gauchos to comeback.

In the the first half the game, the Gauchos made two strong sacks against Notch, and soon after, Notch was pulled out of the game due to an concussion.

This led Jorge Hernandez to handle quarterback duties for the Warriors for the remainder of the game.

“Now my biggest concern [is our] quarterback position,” Featherstone said. “Jorge’s good, but he got bang around a lit bit too.”

Despite the bruises, Hernandez’s passes helped bring the Warriors to victory.

The Warriors were excited and proud of their win over Saddleback.

“I think this week we had a chip on our shoulder cause we felt like we got a little cheated last (week),” Jurado said. “So, we came out practiced hard, and then when it was game time, we just let it all go.”

The Warriors will now look to build on their win when they host Citrus College Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Sea Hawk Bowl at Redondo Union High School.