Eagles 23 - Woodbridge 6
MISSION VIEJO, CA., November 1, 1996 – The Eagles captured their 5th consecutive win and remained in 1st place in league with a 23-6 homecoming win over Woodbridge. SM seemed to go through the motions against the Warriors, especially after two grueling road games to open league. Nick Sparks’ 31-yard field goal opened the scoring and Newman and Minardi both added scores to end the half. The Warriors could manage little against the relentless Eagle defense, as their leading rusher had 21 yards. Th win clinched at least a CIF playoff spot for the Eagles with two games left in league.
| Santa Margarita | 3 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 23 |
| Woodbridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
SM – Sparks 31 FG
SM – Newman 1 run (Sparks kick)
SM – Minardi 16 pass from Palmer (pass failed)
SM – Minna 2 run (Sparks kick)
WOOD – Barlow 6 pass from Lawyer (pass failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Newman 14-63, Minna 5-35; Wood - Harris 11-24, Lawyer 6-(-22)
Passing: SM - Palmer 9-13-0-88; Wood - Lawyer 9-13-0-110
Receiving: SM - Minardi 3-51, Newman 3-37; Wood - Barlow 4-51, Jensen 2-25
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Santa Margarita puts away Woodbridge
MISSION VIEJO – Chris Long and Matt Brooks helped their Santa Margarita teammates hold on Friday night.
The duo turned in two key special teams takeaways to propel the Eagles to a 23-6 Sea View League victory against Woodbridge in front of a homecoming crowd of 2,500 at Saddleback College.
After the Eagles (7-1, 3-0) established a 10-0 lead on a Billy Newman 1-yard run, Long jumped on the ensuing onside kick to put Santa Margarita on the Warriors' (0-7, 0-3) 46-yard line.
Six plays and two major penalties later, quarterback Carson Palmer connected with wideout John Minardi for a 16-yard touchdown and 16-0 advantage with 55 seconds remaining in the first half.
Brooks put the Eagles in a great position to put the game away on the opening kickoff of the second half by recovering a Chad Harris fumble at the Woodbridge 23.
Damien Minna finished the Warriors off with three consecutive runs, the final one coming from 2 yards out to give the Eagles a 23-0 lead.
Woodbridge reached the end zone with 22 seconds remaining on a 6-yard toss from Adam Lawyer to sophomore Scott Barlow.
By Keith Walker
Saturday, November 2, 1996
The Orange County Register - Sports 13
