Ontario Christian 35 - Eagles 0
Santa Margarita falls in varsity debut
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 16, 1988 – It was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained for Santa Margarita as it lost, 35-0 to Ontario Christian Friday night in its first varsity game school's two-year history.
What Santa Margarita gained, however, was experience as the team pitted its sophomore team against a team of juniors and seniors.
"I think we learned a lot about what it takes to play at this level,”Coach Jim Hartigan said.
"I am proud of the way our players maintained their poise and sportsmanship and we walked off the field having gained some very valuable experience as well."
Before an estimated crowd of 500 at Saddleback College, Ontario Christian quarterback Russell Visser scored all the points the Knights would need with a 36-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left in the first quarter.
Visser's run was set up when Santa Margarita quarterback Trevor Yankoff scrambled out of the pocket and was intercepted by Knights' safety Chris Stevens.
Visser followed with the touchdown run on the next play to make it 7-0.
Ontario Christian (1-1) scored again in the second quarter when Troy Belyenberg recovered a fumble at the Eagles' 23.
Five plays later, Mike Salazar raced 19 yards into the end zone and his kick gave Ontario Christian a 14-0 lead.
The Eagles (1-1) rallied in the third quarter with its first possession of the second half. Wide receiver Mike Guevara took a lateral from Yankoff and completed a 27yard pass to Paul Duncan.
Santa Margarita advanced the ball to the 32, but Travis Lucero's 50-yard field goal attempt fell short.
The Eagles threatened again in the fourth quarter with Jason Stiles at quarterback. Steve Veen intercepted a pass, however and returned it 52 yards for the touchdown.
Stiles completed nine of 15 passes for 85 yards.
| Ontario Christian | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Santa Margarita | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
OC – Visser 36 run (Salazar kick )
OC – Salazar 19 run (Salazar kick)
OC – Abril 31 run (Salazar kick)
OC – Lubben 32 pass from Visser (Salazar kick)
OC – Veen 52 interception return (Salazar kick)
By John E. Gibson
The Orange County Register
Saturday, September 17, 1988 - D5
