Eagles 35 - Saddleback 14
SANTA ANA, CA., October 29, 1993 – Santa Margarita's offense scored at will and the defense added a touchdown of their own as the Eagles jumped to a 28-0 first half lead en route to a 35-14 win.
There was no let down after an emotional game with Irvine the previous week.
In a game that was crucial to the Eagles' playoff hopes, SM scored twice on Brad Finneran's four-yard reception and Marc Aranda's fumble recovery in the end zone.
After Chris Collins scored on a one-yard run to put the Eagles ahead 21-0, the defense pitched in a helping hand as Brain Finneran stepped in front of a Roadrunner pass and returned it 33 yards for the score.
A 43-yard run by Eric Pulsifer was the only flaw in SM's first half, and the Eagles responded with another Yankoff to Brad Finneran TD pass to make it 35-7 at the half.
The offense seemed to sputter in the second half, while the defense gave up one more score in the third quarter.
Rik Glover had a tremendous game at nose guard, recording two sacks and 11 tackles.
Brad Finneran also had an interception, his seventh of the season.
The win gave the Eagles an edge in the playoff race with the final two games at home against Tustin and Newport Harbor.
It also put them in a four-way tie for second in league.
| Santa Margarita | 14 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Saddleback | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
SM – Brad Finneran 4 yard pass from Yankoff (Korinke kick)
SM – Aranda recovered fumble in end zone (Korinke kick)
SM – Collins 1 yard run (Korinke kick)
SM – Bri. Finneran 33 interception return (Korinke kick)
SAD – Pulsifer 43 run (Peria kick)
SM – Brad Finneran 4 pass from Yankoff (Korinke kick)
SAD – Gonzalez 30 run (Peria kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Franqui 8-65, Yankoff 9-52, Collins 11-47
Passing: Yankoff 13-25-0, 180, .520%, 2 TD
Receiving: Brian Finneran 5-118, Brad Finneran 4-50
Defense: Glover 11 tackles, 2 sacks; Bri. Finneran 6 tackles, 1 int; Brad
Finneran 5 tackles, 1 int; Lucas 7 tackles; Younce 7 tackles; Beckett
2 sacks, 1 caused fumble, 1 rec. fumble
Rik Glover made 11 tackles and two big sacks to riddle Saddleback.
Strong start carries Santa Margarita
SANTA ANA – Riding a balanced attack engineered by senior quarterback Derek Yankoff, Santa Margarita improved its chances of qualifying for the CIF Southern Section Division IV playoffs by defeating Saddle- back, 35-14.
The Eagles, 6-2 overall and tied for second in the Sea View League at 3-2, dominated most of the first half and seized a 28-0 lead when Brian Finneran picked off a Saddleback pass and dashed 33 yards untouched.
Santa Margarita scored three first-quarter touchdowns in three different manners. Yankoff hit Brad Finneran for a 4-yard score, Marc Aranda recovered a Brad Finneran fumble in the end zone for another touchdown and running back Chris Collin capped a lengthy drive.
But the Roadrunners (3-5, 2-3), who scored for the first time with just under five minutes left in the first half on a 43-yard touchdown run by Eric Pulsifer, yielded an- other 4-yard scoring connection of Yankoff-to-Brad Finneran.
By Bob Cunningham
Saturday, October 30, 1993
The Orange County Register - D14
