El Toro 20 - Eagles 14
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| Photo: Sharokin Isayo |
MISSION VIEJO, CA., October 27, 1995 – The stage was set. Homecoming, 8,000 fans, and two teams with 2-0 records in league. With all the pregame hype, the Eagle and Chargers did not disappoint the overflow crowd. El Toro came into the game with a 37.4 scoring average, but the Eagle defense stepped up to force a defensive battle throughout the contest. SM held a 7-3 halftime lead, but saw that fall after Merle Sango ran 19 yards to give the Chargers a 10-7 lead. The Eagles responded with an 88-yard drive capped by Chris Collins' 1-yard run. The Chargers scored the final 10 points in the fourth quarter, however, to win 20-14.
| El Toro | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
SM – O'Connor 32 pass from Collins (Zaist kick)
ET – FG Johnson 28
ET – Sango 19 pass from Krupp (Johnson kick)
SM – Collins 1 run (Zaist kick)
ET – Sango 4 run (Johnson kick)
ET – FG Johnson 42
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Rushing: Collins, 13-38, Newman 8-35
Passing: Collins 12-21-0-114
Receiving: O'Connor 4-67, Brown 4-25
Scoring: O'Connor 1 TD, Collins 1 TD, Zaist 2 PATs
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: Pichler 5, Grzecka 4, Munoz 4, Nickels 4
Asst. Tackles: Pichler 2, McNeil 2, Grzecka 2
Interceptions: O'Connor 1
Other: The Eagles held the Chargers to 89 yards passing, their lowest total to date
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
El Toro survives slow start
MISSION VIEJO, CA., October 27, 1995 – El Toro's offensive machine sputtered and misfired early Friday night during its Sea View League game against Santa Margarita.
The Chargers, who average 37.4 points a game, were held to one first down in the first quarter and three first-half points in a showdown between ranked teams.
When the Chargers finally got moving however, they rolled over Santa Margarita, scoring on all three possessions of the second half during a 20-14 victory in front of an estimated 8,000 at Saddleback College.
El Toro (7-1, 3-0) ranked fifth in the county, took over the league lead with the victory. Santa Margarita (6-2, 2-1), ranked eighth in the county, falls into a tie for second with Irvine.
"This was probably the least productive first half we've had all season," El Toro coach Mike Milner said. “I don't know why."
Santa Margarita's defense stopped El Toro cold on its first three possessions.
Eagles defensive back Billy O'Connor also set up Santa Margarita's first score, intercepting a Steve Krupp pass at the Chargers 24 with 5 minutes left in the first period.
Two plays later O'Connor caught a 32-yard touchdown from Chris Collins for an early 70 lead.
El Toro got a 28-yard field goal from Chad Johnson with 46 seconds left in the half, then took control on the first possession of the third, going 69 yards in 11 plays and scoring on a 19-yard pass from Krupp to Merle Sango.
Santa Margarita answered with an 88-yard drive of its own to retake the lead on Collins' 1-yard drive with 2:16 left in the period.
Sango finished with 121 yards rushing to lead El Toro. Collins completed 12 of 21 passes for 114 yards. Santa Margarita tailback Randy Newman, who averaged 99 yards in the first seven games, played sparingly due to a sprained ankle.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Rushing: ET - Sango 17-121, Oatos 6-25; SM - Collins 13-38, Newman 8-35
Passing: ET - Krupp 11-14-1-68; SM - Collins 12-21-0-114
Receiving: ET - Foellmi 3-21, Voll 2-15; SM - O'Connor 4-67, Brown 4-25
By David Osterman
Saturday, October 28, 1995
The Orange County Register - Sports 15
