Eagles 34 - Trabuco Hills 14
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 12, 1997 – The Eagles soared even without pre-season All-American QB Carson Palmer and posted their school record-tying 12th consecutive win with a 34-14 victory over crosstown rival Trabuco Hills. The Eagles forced four turnovers and used an efficient offensive attack to post their third consecutive win over the Mustangs.
Junior QB Greg Orlando, making his first start, completed seven of 14 passes for 89 yards including a 16-yarder to John Minardi, and added a 22-yard Td run to earn Cox Cablevision Player of the Game honors. Senior RB Bryant Wolfsberger scored on two one-yard Td runs, returned a punt 31 yards to set up Orlando Td run, and blocked an extra point attempt in his Eagle debut.
Defensively, John Minardi collected 15 trackles and Nick Cappelletti picked up 12 and 0.5 sacks. Andrew Holstein added 10 tackles, 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, while Jason Rowell led the defensive linemen with a 91% grade, four tackles and a forced fumble. The Eagle defense held the Mustangs to zero or less yards on four of their first five possessions, and forced four fumbles to help build a 31-0 lead with 8:30 left in the second quarter.
| Santa Margarita | 21 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Trabuco Hills | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 14 |
SM – Wolfsberger 1 run (Sparks kick)
SM – Wolfsberger 1 run (Sparks kick)
SM – Orlando 22 run (Sparks kick)
SM – Minardi 16 pass from Orlando (Sparks kick)
SM – FG Sparks 46
TH – Edwards 8 run (kick failed)
SM – FG Sparks 40
TH – Edwards 1 run (Hatch run)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: TH - Lewis 20-60, Edwards 9-37; SM - Wolfsberger 16-78, Orlando 5-36
Passing: TH - Edwards 13-30-151; SM - Orlando 7-15-89
Receiving: TH - Heaney 8-89, Banks 1-27; SM - Minardi 5-53, Brooks 1-33
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Even without Palmer, Santa Margarita soars
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita misses its star quarterback Carson Palmer - but not that much Friday night.
With the preseason All-American forced to watch from the sidelines because of a stress fracture in his left foot, the Eagles - who were ranked No. 2 in the Register's preseason poll - defeated visiting Trabuco Hills, 34-14, in the season opener for both schools.
The defending CIF Division V champions must have looked like the Eagles of 1996 to the crowd of 4,000 at Saddleback College.
Santa Margarita's defense - which was the team's strength a year ago -- forced four first-half fumbles.
The Eagles converted the turnovers into 17 points and a 34-6 halftime lead.
Palmer's replacement, junior Greg Orlando, and Capistrano Valley Christian transfer Bryant Wolfsberger led the Eagles' attack.
In his first varsity start, Orlando completed 7 of 15 passes for 89 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver John Minardi in the second quarter.
Orlando also scrambled for a 22-yard score.
"We had no doubt (Orlando) was going to do a great job,"Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan said.
"He definitely did not let anyone down.'
Wolfsberger rushed for 78 yards on 16 carries and had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter.
The 5-11, 180-pound senior also had a 30-yard punt return that set up Orlando's scoring run and blocked an extra-point attempt.
Santa Margarita's only difficulties were 10 penalties for 100 yards.
The good news is that Palmer could begin practicing Wednesday, team trainer Ray Gonzalez said.
Trabuco Hills standout running back Chris Lewis suffered a concussion with 10:01 left in the game and was taken to Mission Viejo Hospital.
The senior, who rushed for 60 yards on 20 carries, was injured when he was tackled by a host of Eagle defenders.
By Dan Albano
Saturday, Sept. 13, 1997
The Orange County Register - Sports 12
