Spring News & Notes
The Santa Margarita Eagles enter the 1997 spring practice period with a 39-man varsity roster which includes 25 seniors and 14 juniors. The 1997 edition of the Eagles have plenty of size, talent and solid senior leadership and will once again face a demanding schedule as they try to repeat as Sea View League and CIF Division V Champions. Among the seniors are five Division I college prospects, and as many as 12 Division I-AA caliber players. The underclassmen on this years squad will also be expected to contribute. The seniors on this years team have posted 9-0-1, 9-1, and 13-1 marks at the Freshman, JV and Varsity levels over the past three seasons respectively. The young players should be up to the challenge because of extensive game experience they saw in 1996, and a track record of success at the lower levels. The 1996 JV team finished last year at 10-0 and won the Sea View League Championship.
The Eagles return a record nine All-Sea View League players and 34 lettermen from last years squad which finished ranked #16 in the State. Leading the way will be QB and All-American candidate Carson Palmer and returning All-CIF and All-American candidate WR/FS John Minardi. Carson set or tied eight shcoool records as a junior and is expecting to have a big year. Minardi averaged 24.8 yards per catch, scored 14 Td's and collected 117 tackles. Other returning impact players include All-League first teamers Shaun Jackson (OL), Matt Strickroth (OL/DL), and Andrew Holstein (TE/LB). Returning second teamers include Jason Rowell (DE), Matt Brooks (CB/WR), Andy Hopper (DT), and Nick Sparks (K).
Summer Camp will open on June 30th.
