Eagles 42 - St. John Bosco 6
Eagles Open Season in Big Fashion Over Bosco
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 11, 1992 – Behind the passing of Sean O'Brien and a stingy defense, the Eagles dazzled the home fans with a convincing 42-6 win over the Division I St. John Bosco Braves.
O'Brien had two first half touchdown passes to Kevin Duffy and Brian Finneran to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead at the break. The defense shut down the Braves' offense, intercepting three passes, and limiting the opponent to only four completions.
Ryan Zinn, who had two interceptions, also made a point on the other side of the ball. The senior rushed for 111 yards on only four carries, including an 82-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Eagle offense accounted for nearly 500 yards. O'Brien added a third touchdown pass to Brian Finneran and finished the night 13-20 and 253 yards passing. The senior quarterback also rushed for 84 yards and added a score in the third quarter.
| Santa Margarita | 6 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
| St. John Bosco | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
SM – Duffy 22 pass from O'Brien (kick failed)
SM – Brian Finneran 47 pass from O'Brien (Duffy pass from O'Brien)
SM – O'Brien 2 run (O'Brien kick)
SM – Brad Finneran 6 pass from O'Brien (O'Brien kick)
SM – Tiernan 6 run (O'Brien kick)
SJB – Williams 90 run (kick failed)
SM – Zinn 82 run (O'Brien kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Zinn 4-111, O'Brien 11-84, Duffy 4-43
Passing: O'Brien 13-20-0, 253, .650%, 3 TD
Receiving: Bri. Finneran 6-157, BD. Finneran 3-45, Duffy 3-31
Defense: Sulick 10 tackles; Zinn 2 int; BD. Finneran 7 tackles
Santa Margarita romps, 42-6 - Eagles QB O'Brien passes for 253 yards
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita High passed for 278 yards and three touchdowns Friday in a convincing 42-6 triumph over St. John Bosco in the opener for both at Saddleback College.
Eagles quarterback Sean O'Brien was 13 of 20 for 253 yards and no interceptions, while running for 92 yards. And Ryan Zinn, who came in during the second half, ran for 113 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown. St. John Bosco's only touchdown came with 10:22 left in the game on a 90-yard run by Ryan Williams, who finished with 22 carries for 203 yards.
The Eagles (1-0) outgained the Braves (0-1), 439-299.
"Both sides (offense and defense) played well," Eagles coach Jim Hartigan said. "Except for that one play (Williams' run) we played well. We were explosive."
The Eagles built a 14-0 halftime lead behind O'Brien's passing. In the first quarter, he spotted wingback Kevin Duffy over the middle for a 22-yard score (the kick failed), and with 39 seconds remaining, connected with Brian Finneran on a slant pattern. Finneran caught the ball at the 30 and outran three Braves defenders to the end zone.
O'Brien's swing pass to Duffy was good for a two-point conversion. Santa Margarita scored three touchdowns in the first 13 minutes of the second half, the first two coming off interceptions by Zinn. O'Brien scored from the 2-yard line, Brad Finneran caught a six-yard touchdown pass and Tieran ran six yards for a 6-yard score to make it 25-0 with 11:23 remaining.
On the defense: Zinn had two interceptions and Duffy one for the Eagles. Brett Noonan led the Eagles with seven tackles.
Noteworthy: The Eagles had nine players out with injuries.
By Michael Casey
Saturday, September 12, 1992
The Orange County Register - D4
