Eagles 21 - Woodbridge 14
Collins' return keys Santa Margarita upset
MISSION VIEJO, CA., October 14, 1994 – Quarterback Chris Collins provided the inspiration and the Santa Margarita defense played takeaway for a 21-14 upset of previously unbeaten Woodbridge on Friday at Saddleback College.
The Warriors (5-1, 0-1) entered the game ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division V and No. 6 in Orange County, but they committed six turnovers, and a comeback from a 21-0 deficit in the fourth quarter fell short.
Collins, making his first start after dislocating his right kneecap during preseason drills, sparked the Eagles' option offense. The junior led the team with 84 yards on 21 carries and passed for one touchdown, offsetting his four fumbles.
Pressure from the Eagles' defensive line led to four interceptions - three by safety Matt Nickels - and Santa Margarita (3-3, 1-0) also recovered two Woodbridge fumbles. Defensive end Tim Pringle sacked Warriors quarterback Casey Harris four times and hurried another throw that helped Santa Margarita to a 14-0 halftime lead.
Harris lobbed a pass that linebacker Matt Lucas grabbed and returned 36 yards for a touchdown with 28 seconds left in the second quarter. Collins then passed to Eric Brown for the two point conversion.
"We gave them a touchdown just before halftime, and that was the difference in the game right there," Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. “We just self-destructed."
Ryan Korinke put Santa Margarita ahead 6-0 with two field goals, including a school-record 45-yarder in the second quarter.
| Santa Margarita | 3 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Woodbridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
SM – FG Korinke 39
SM – FG Korinke 45
SM – Lucas 36 interception return (Brown pass from Collins)
SM – Nickels 23 pass from Collins (Korinke kick)
WOOD – Dominelli 41 fumble return (Bennett kick)
WOOD – Hanlon 25 pass from Ca. Harris (Bennett kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Wood - Wakefield 5-20; SM - Collins 21-84, Newman 3-48
Passing: Wood - Ca. Harris 16-27-4-185; SM - Collins 2-8-0-39
Receiving: Wood - McGuinnes 4-54, Hanlon 2-34; SM - Nickels 1-23, Newman 1-16
By Brent Goodrich
Saturday, October 15, 1994
The Orange Country Register - Sports 10
