Eagles 20 - Saddleback 13
SM Weathers Storm for Homecoming Win
MISSION VIEJO, CA., October 23, 1992 – After a heart-breaking loss to Irvine the week before, it was a question as to how the Eagles (6-1, 3-1) would respond against a scrappy Saddleback team.
The Homecoming crowd was given a show, but it was from the tremendous hail, rain and lightning that hit right at kickoff.
SM started quickly as Sean O'Brien scored on a 30-yard run on the opening drive. The Eagles continued to score after two Saddleback (3-4, 2-2) turnovers.
Ryan Korinke's 27-yard field goal gave the Eagles a 9-0 lead in the first quarter, and Chris Tiernan's 4-yard run put the Eagles ahead 17-0.
Saddleback didn't give in and neither did the horrid playing conditions. The Roadrunners cut the lead to 17-6 on George Arceo's 5-yard reception.
Korinke's second field goal from 28 yards gave the Eagles 20-7 lead, and the defense limited Saddleback to only one late score in the second half to get the Eagles back on the winning track.
With the constant rain falling, the Eagles were able to move the ball on the ground when their potent air attack was limited.
Tiernan, O'Brien and Kevin Duffy combined for nearly 150 yards as the option game gave Santa Margarita the edge.
| Santa Margarita | 9 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Saddleback | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
SM – O'Brien 30 run( kick failed)
SM – Korinke 27 FG
SM – Tiernan 4 run (O'Brien run)
SB – Arceo 5 pass from Ruvulo (Orozco kick)
SM – Korinke 28 FG
SB – Pulsifer 1 run (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Tiernan 9-64, Duffy 5-59, O'Brien 9-34
Passing: O'Brien 4-12-1, 64, .333%, 0 TD
Receiving: Brian Finneran 3-41, Griffin 1-24
Defense: Breen 13 tackles, 1 FR; Winkelmann 3 sacks
Eagles keep it on the ground - Strong running game lifts Santa Margarita
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita didn't get to use its regular game plan, but that didn't matter. A severe rain storm grounded the high-flying Eagles, who took to the ground to beat Saddleback, 20-13, before an estimated homecoming crowd of 2,000 at Saddleback College.
Santa Margarita quarterback Sean O'Brien, the county's top-rated passer, completed just 4 of 12 passes for 69 yards. He attempted only three passes in the second half.
"Our coach had wanted us to pass and that's what we'd been practicing all week," O'Brien said. "But with the weather, we had to run the ball. We did a good job. We won. That's all that matters."
O'Brien, like his teammates, took to the ground well. He scored the game's first touchdown on a 30-yard run with 3:25 gone in the first quarter to give the Eagles (6-1, 3-1 Sea View League) a 6-0 lead.
O'Brien finished with 53 yards in six carries.
"He's been limited on the run, because he's been throwing so well," Eagles coach Jim Hartigan said. "But with this weather we put in some sprint (runs) that we've designed for him. He did a good job."
Santa Margarita took advantage of two Roadrunner turnovers, scoring on a field goal and a Chris Tiernan 4-yard touchdown run.
By Tiffany Sparks
Saturday, October 24, 1992
The Orange County Register - D13
Orange County Football Top Ten
1. Esperanza..............7-0
2. Los Alamitos...........7-0
3. Rancho Alamitos........6-1
4. Servite................6-0-1
5. Irvine.................6-1
6. Mater Dei..............5-0-1
7. Santa Margarita........6-1
8. Sunny Hills............6-1
9. Trabuco Hills..........6-1
10. El Dorado.............6-1
