Eagles 34 - Buena Park 3
Eagle Defense Stifles Coyotes to Go 3-0
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 25, 1992 – The Eagles (3-0) tuned up for the Sea View League with 34-3 win over visiting Buena Park, but there were still a few wrinkles to iron out.
The defense again turned in its third straight impressive performance, limiting the Coyotes (0-3) to second quarter field goal while giving up less than 200 total yards.
Santa Margarita scored on its opening drive for the third straight week, and was helped out when Brian Finneran returned an interception 39 yards for a 14-0 first quarter lead.
Penalties and turnovers were common for the evening, but O'Brien had a hot hand when it counted as he hit both the Finnerans and Kevin Duffy for scores.
Joe Winkelmann had an outstanding game sacking the Coyote quarterback three times, while causing him to hurry his throws on other occasions.
Once again, O'Brien was the leading rusher for the Eagles with 12 carries for 83 yards. He threw for 153 yards and three scores, but was intercepted for the first time all season in 65 attempts.
The Eagles outscored their opponents 103-9 in the preseason.
| Santa Margarita | 14 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 34 |
| Buena Park | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
SM – Tiernan 1 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Brian Finneran 39 interception return (Korinke kick)
BP – FG Chavez 26
SM – Brian Finneran 3 pass from O'Brien (Korinke kick)
SM – Brad Finneran 20 pass from O'Brien (Korinke kick)
SM – Duffy 15 pass from O'Brien (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: O'Brien 12-83, Tiernan 8-57
Passing: O'Brien 14-23-1, 153, .608%, 3 TD
Receiving: Brian Finneran 6-69, Brad Finneran 4-62
Defense: Tiernan 9 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 KD, 1 FR; Gillessie 8 tackles;
Sulick 11 tackles; Winkelmann 3.5 sacks
Santa Margarita wins big, ugly
Buena Park fails to cash in on fumbles, penalties in 34-3 loss
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita defeated Buena Park, 34-3, at Saddleback College on Friday night. But it wasn't pretty.
Both teams committed 25 penalties for 229 yards. Eagles coach Jim Hartigan was amazed at his team's ability to put points on the board even though the offense was not running smoothly.
It was sloppy but I still see 34 points up there on the scoreboard," he said.
Kevin Duffy set the tone of the game on the opening kickoff when he took the kick 62 yards to set up the first Eagles score. On the seventh play of the first drive quarterback Sean O'Brien fumbled and Chris Tiernan scooped the ball up and ran it in for a 6-yard touchdown.
"We had problems with the pitches," Hartigan said. "It was damp out there and it made things difficult."
The Eagles (3-0) took a 21-3 lead at halftime. The Coyotes (0-3) only score of the game came on a 26- yard field goal by Estaban Chavez in the second quarter.
On the defense: Joe Winkelmann was in the Coyote backfield all night sacking Buena Park quarterback Alan Buckley three times.
Noteworthy: The Finneran brothers, Brad and Brian, combined for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the air.
By Carlos Arias
Saturday, September 26, 1992
The Orange County Register - D6
Orange County Football Top Ten
1. Esperanza.............3-0
2. Los Alamitos..........3-0
3. Servite...............2-0-1
4. Rancho Alamitos.......2-1
5. Santa Margarita.......3-0
6. Trabuco Hills.........3-0
7. Irvine................2-1
8. Mater Dei.............2-0-1
9. Mission Viejo.........2-1
10. Sunny Hills..........3-0
