Eagles 45 - Katella 7
MISSION VIEJO, CA., November 21, 1997 – Santa Margarita posted their 22nd consecutive win with a commanding 45-7 win over the Katella Knights in front of 4,500 at Saddleback College.
The game had an interesting beginning as Francis Johnson scored on a 75-yard run on the Knights’ third play from scrimmage to give them a quick 7-0 lead. A 29-yard field goal by Nick Sparks was all the Eagles could muster in the first quarter as Katella clung to a 7-3 lead. Carson Palmer, who replaced Greg Orlando, and played only the second and third quarters, proceeded to complete 11 of 14 passes for 223 yards including three Tds to John Minardi to pull ahead 24-7 at the half. Bryant Wolfsberger, who added 92 yards, added three Tds covering 1, 1 and 20 yards.
On defense, Minardi and John Schweitzer intercepted passes while Nick Cappelletti added 11 tackles.
| Santa Margarita | 3 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
| Katella | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
KAT – Johnson 75 run (Gomez kick)
SM – FG Sparks 34
SM – Minardi 5 pass from Palmer (Sparks kick)
SM – Wolfsberger 1 run (Sparks kick)
SM – Minardi 63 pass from Palmer (Sparks kick)
SM – Minardi 35 pass from Palmer (Sparks kick)
SM – Wolfsberger 20 run (Sparks kick)
SM – Wolfsberger 1 run (Sparks kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Kat - Johnson 18-113, Tiscareno 2-6; SM - Wolfsberger 20-90, Cappelletti 2-6
Passing: Kat - Gomez 2-18-35; SM - Palmer 10-14-212, Orlando 3-8-93
Receiving: Kat - Nita 1-39, Tiscareno 1-4; SM - Minardi 9-201, Wolfsberger 2-51
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Santa Margarita looks impressive in 45-7 victory
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita quarterback Carson Palmer came off the bench to connect on three touchdown passes with John Minardi while leading the defending champion Eagles to a 45-7 victory over Katella Friday night in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs.
The victory at Saddleback College came in front of 2,500 spectators, including Colorado football coach Rick Neuheisel.
Palmer, one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation, was stricken with the flu throughout the week and began the game on the sideline. Minardi, who already has committed to Colorado, scored on 5-, 63- and 35-yard passes from Palmer as the Eagles extended their unbeaten streak to 22 games.
“We started off slow but when Carson got in we started connecting" said Minardi who had nine receptions for 201 yards. "He and I have been playing together for so long I just know what he's going to do."
After the Knights opened the scoring on an electrifying 75-yard sweep by Francis Johnson on the third play from scrimmage, Santa Margarita moved deep into Katella territory on its first two possessions but could only muster a Nick Sparks' field goal.
Palmer entered the game early in the second quarter and had his first pass picked off by Arthur Tiscareno. When the Eagles got the ball back they moved 64 yards on eight plays, capping the drive on a 5-yard toss from Palmer to Minardi in the left corner of the end zone to put Santa Margarita in the lead, 10-7.
On Katella's ensuing possession, Minardi returned an interception 38 yards to the Katella 2 and Bryant Wolfsberger ran in from 1 yard out to open up a 17-7 lead for the Eagles.
Palmer connected with Minardi on a 63-yard strike just before the half and then hit him with a 35-yard pass early in the third quarter to make it 31-7.
Wolfsberger added a 20-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.
With the victory, Santa Margarita, the county's second-ranked team, next plays Servite. The Eagles defeated the Friars, 5514, during Week 3 of the regular season.
By Graig Woodburn
Saturday, November 22, 1997
The Orange County Register - Sports 12
