Eagles 24 - University 21
Late FG lifts Santa Margarita to 24-21 victory
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 14, 1990 – Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan figures the Eagles need seven victories to advance to the CIF Southern Section playoffs as a freelance team. They got their second Friday night.
Travis Lucero kicked a 24-yard field goal as time ran out to lift Santa Margarita a wild 24-21 non-league victory over University before 1,500 at Saddleback College.
“This is by far the biggest win I've had in my career and the school has had, without a doubt," said Haritigan, a former player and assistant coach at University.
Lucero's kick spoiled a fourth-quarter comeback by University (0-2). The Trojans scored 14 points in a span of 1 minute seven seconds in the fourth quarter to tie the score. Quarterback Brian Vail dove over for a 3-yard touchdown with 2:25 left to cut the margin to 21-13.
University added another touchdown with 1:28 left in the game on a 24-yard scoring pass from Vail to Jerry Apana. The duo hooked up again on a pass for the two-point conversion that tied the score at 21.
Santa Margarita drove 59 yards for the winning field goal. A 30-yard pass from Trevor Yankoff to Josh Ireland set up the final play at the 7 yard line with four seconds remaining.
Ireland rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries to lead Santa Margarita. Ireland also caught four passes for 71 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Ireland, a junior, had given the Eagles a 21-7 lead with 5:36 left in the second quarter when he broke up the middle and dashed 83 yards for a touchdown.
Marc Walker carried 29 times for 157 yards and one touchdown for University. Apana added 124 yards in 18 attempts.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| University | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
SM – Ireland 45 run (Lucero kick)
UNI – Walker 1 run (Moreale kick)
SM – Ireland 8 pass from Yankoff (Lucero kick)
SM – Ireland 83 run (Lucero kick)
UNI – Vail 3 run (pass failed)
UNI – Apana 24 pass from Vail (Apana pass from Vall)
SM – Lucero 24 FG
By Brent Goodrich
Saturday, September 15, 1990
The Orange County Register - D4
