Eagles 37 - Valley Christian 0
Eagles win, 37-0, now 4-0
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 28, 1990 – Even Santa Margarita football coach Jim Hartigan is talking about magic numbers these days.
Hartigan, however, refers to the seven victories he believes it will take his Eagles to qualify for a CIF at-large playoff berth in November. Santa Margarita took another step toward that goal with a 37-0 victory over Valley Christian Friday night at Saddleback College.
“Our magic number is three now," Hartigan said after watching the Eagles improve to 4-0. "It's nice to beat (Valley Christian) after what they did to us last year."
Valley Christian defeated Santa Margarita, 38-6, in 1989, when both schools were in the Olympic League. Santa Margarita is playing a free-lance schedule this year, but played with league championship-game intensity against the Crusaders. The Eagle defense forced five turnovers, including three in the first quarter when Santa Margarita took a 10-0 lead.
Quarterback Trevor Yankoff completed 14 of 28 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles, who played more than half the game without tailback Josh Ireland. Ireland, Orange County's leading rusher (614 yards) entering Friday's game, bruised his hip in practice Wednesday and then twisted an ankle midway through the second quarter. Although Ireland could have returned if needed, Hartigan elected to go to a pass-oriented attack, and Yankoff responded with a strong effort.
Ireland carried 11 times for 37 yards before leaving the game, and his touchdown gives him nine this season. Santa Margarita's defense limited Valley Christian to 24 yards passing.
| Santa Margarita | 10 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 37 |
| Valley Christian | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SM – Ireland 23 pass from Yankoff (Lucero kick)
SM – Lucero 34 FG
SM – Rominger 2 run (Lucero kick)
SM – Shearer 12 pass from Yankoff (Lucero kick)
SM – Muniz 9 run (Lucero kick)
SM – J. Farris 10 run (kick failed)
By Mark Spinn
Saturday, September 29, 1990
The Orange County Register - D4
