Eagles 42 - Buena Park 21
BUENA PARK, CA., September 23, 1993 – The Eagles (3-0) tuned up for the Sea View League with a 42-21 win over Buena Park in another wild game.
The defense scored twice on Louie Warner's 27-yard interception return in the second quarter, and on Brian Finneran's 63-yard fumble return in the final quarter for the clinching score.
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.
After a slow start offensively, the Eagles scored on Mario Franqui's 45-yard run up the middle for a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter Derek Yankoff scored to give SM a 14-7 lead and Warner's score put the Eagles up 21-7 at the half.
Both teams seemed sluggish all night and the second half was loaded with big plays.
The Coyotes closed the gap to 21-14 on Tim Jones' 42-yard fumble return. After Yankoff hit Brad Finneran for a 30-yard score, Jones went 85 yards on Buena Park's next possession to make it 28-21.
The Eagles responded well and Franqui's second score from 14 yards put SM up, 35-21.
Finneran's fumble return was the only scoring in the fourth quarter as the Eagles finished the preseason with a perfect record.
"This is a young team with just three returning starters and we're 3-0," said Coach Jim Hartigan.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Buena Park | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
SM – Franqui 45 run (Korinke kick)
BP – Jones 9 pass from McDonald (Reyes kick)
SM – Yankoff 12 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Warner 27 interception return (Korinke kick)
BP – Jones 42 fumble return (Reyes kick)
SM – Brad Finneran 30 pass from Yankoff (Korinke kick)
BP – Jones 85 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Franqui 14 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Brian Finneran 63 fumble return (Korinke kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Franqui 7-80, Yankoff 12-54
Passing: Yankoff 13-26-1, 215, .500%, 1 TD, 1 int.
Receiving: Brad Finneran 6-87, Brian Finneran 5-79
Defense: Warner 7 tackles, 1 int./TD; Brad Finneran 5 tackles; Hauke 2.5
sacks; Brian Finneran 5 tackles, 1 FR/TD
Lou Warner intercepted a pass for a TD and added 7 tackles.
Santa Margarita finally shakes loose to win, 42-21
BUENA PARK – If he were given the test, Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan might not be able to tell if the glass is half empty or half full, even after a 42-21 victory over Buena Park on Thursday night.
That's Hartigan's mind-set as a result of his team's
performance through the first three games of the season.
Although the Eagles to 3-0, the manner in which this and other triumphs were notched may not result in such a fortunate outcome when Sea View League play begins next week.
"The bottom line is we have to get ready for the Sea View League. With the quality of football in the Sea View, you won't win with the way we played tonight," said Hartigan. "Tackling is the key. The defense has to make some plays."
Meanwhile, Hartigan found himself pleased when considering the Eagles' perfect record.
"We're a young team, with only three returning starters, and we're 3-0. So you can't complain too much," he said.
Against the Coyotes, Santa Margarita jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 45-yard touchdown run by Mario Franqui. Although the Eagles never relinquished the lead, they couldn't shake the Coyotes (0-3).
After taking a 21-7 lead at halftime, the Eagles had their lead cut to 21-14 when the Coyotes' Tim Jones picked up a fumble and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.
By Greg Mascio
Saturday, September 24, 1993
The Orange County Register - D12
