Eagles 49 - University 7
Offense Explodes in Fifth Straight Win
IRVINE, CA., October 8, 1992 – The stage was set for Santa Margarita (5-0) to have a let down after an impressive win in the league opener and a showdown with Irvine the following week, but it never came to be.
In the past the Eagles, have had difficult times with teams with losing records. University, However, found the going difficult as the Eagles soared to a 35-0 halftime lead.
Once again the offense scored on all its possessions in the first half, and the defense was outstanding, limiting the Trojans (0-5) to less than 200 total yards.
Chris Tiernan took over the running load as Sean O'Brien was nursing a sore groin. Tiernan scored three times and finished the night with 79 yards on 12 carries.
The passing game clicked as O'Brien connected on 12 of 15 passes for 159 yards and one score to Brad Finneran.
Defensively, the Eagles were constantly in the University backfield putting pressure on the quarterback. The only score came late in the game against the reserves.
The Eagle reserves countered with a score of their own as Derek Yankoff kept the ball on an option play from 28-yards out.
"I thought the starters did a great job offensively and defensively when they were in the game," Coach Jim Hartigan said. "I still don't know how good we are. We'll see next week against Irvine."
| Santa Margarita | 21 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
| University | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
SM – Tiernan 50 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Zinn 20 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Tiernan 4 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Brad Finneran 8 pass from O'Brien (Korinke kick)
SM – Duffy 6 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Tiernan 4 run (Korinke kick)
UNI – Dunn 45 run (Rosenberger kick)
SM – Yankoff 29 run (Korinke kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Tiernan 12-79, Yankoff 5-53, Duffy 3-47
Passing: O'Brien 12-15-0, 159, Yankoff 5-11-0, 38
Receiving: Brad Finneran 4-47, Brian Finneran 3-51, Zinn 3-44
Defense: Breen 7 tackles; Gillessie 6 tackles
Offensive display leads Santa Margarita, 49-7
IRVINE – Santa Margarita High tuned up for a crucial Sea View League showdown against Irvine next week with a 49-7 rout of University High on Thursday night at Irvine High.
The Eagles, No. 5 in Orange County, improved to 5-0 and 2-0 in league and will return next Friday to play No. 7 Irvine. Irvine meets cross-town rival Woodbridge tonight.
Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan rested his starters for most or all of the second half after the Eagles took a 35-0 halftime lead. Santa Margarita scored on its first five possessions of the game.
"I thought the starters did a great job offensively and defensively when they were in the game," Hartigan said. "I still don't know how good we are. We'll see how good we are next week against Irvine."
Santa Margarita's defense held University (0-5, 0-2) to 34 yards and three first downs through three quarters. Meanwhile, the Eagle offense, led by running back Chris Tiernan and quarterback Sean O'Brien, rolled to 254 yards in the first half.
Tiernan reshed 13 times for 99 yards and three touchdowns, including two short runs in the first quarter. A 20-yard touchdown run by Ryan Zinn helped Santa Margarita to a 21-0 first-quarter lead.
O'Brien completed 12 of 14 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown in one half of action.
University turned the ball over three times in the second quarter, leading to a pair of Eagle touchdowns.
On the defense: University free saftey Eric Wei made 11 tackles and deflected one pass.
Noteworthy: Jason Dunn scored on a 45-yard run in the fourth quarter for University's only touchdown.
By Brent Goodrich
Saturday, October 9, 1992
The Orange County Register - C14
Orange County Football Top Ten
1. Esperanza.............5-0
2. Los Alamitos..........5-0
3. Rancho Alamitos.......4-1
4. Santa Margarita.......5-0
5. Servite...............4-0-1
6. Trabuco Hills.........5-0
7. Irvine................4-1
8. Mater Dei.............4-0-1
9. El Dorado.............5-0
10. Laguna Hills.........5-0
