EAGLES 13 - DOMINGUEZ 8
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 11, 1998 – The Eagles opened their tenth varsity season by extended their winning streak to 26 games with a 13-8 victory over the Division II Dominguez (Compton) Dons before 4,200 at Saddleback College. The game was expected to a high-scoring affair between two teams ranked in the State Top 20; however it was the defenses that dominated the show. After Garrett Thompson returned the opening kickoff 39 yards the Eagles went on an eight-play 57-yard drive capped by Greg Orlando’s one yard run. The Dons responded with a drive on their second possession going 63 yards on six plays and scoring on Johnny Bentley’s one-yard run. The snap on the PAT was bad and the holder, QB Everett Smith, rolled out and found Ryan Thompson for a two-Point conversion and an 8-7 lead. In the second quarter, Orlando directed the Eagles on a seven-play 45-yard drive capped by a 4-yard scoring pass from Orlando to Mike O’Gorman with 3:16 left in the half. From there the defenses dominated. Spencer McCroskey’s interception halted a late second quarter drive by the Dons, and the Eagles limited the Dons to 89 yards and five first downs the rest of the way. Colin Rooke, making his first start, recorded a career-high 13 tackles including 1 ½ sacks, while first time starters Matt Szkalak and John Bennett collected 11 tackles each.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Dominguez | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
SM – Orlando 1 run (kick good)
DOM – Bentley 1 run (Smith pass to Thompson)
SM – O'Gorman 4 pass from Orlando (McCroskey pass failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: DOM - Bentley 9-69; SM - McCroskey 17-93
Passing: –
Receiving: –
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Eagles fly without Palmer
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita knows it has to find new ways to win now that quarterback Carson Palmer is playing at USC.
In its 1998 opener against Dominguez on Friday, Santa Margarita turned to its defense and wasn't disappointed.
The Eagles maintained their winning ways, defeating an athletic but mistake-prone Dominguez squad, 13-8, in front of an estimated 4,200 at Saddleback College. It was the 26th consecutive victory for Santa Margarita, the two-time defending CIF Southern Section Division V champion.
Santa Margarita, which set Orange County's single-season scoring record last year, led 13-8 at halftime and put the game in the hands of its defense in the second half. Santa Margarita held running back Johnny Bentley to 69 yards on nine carries and limited quarterback Everett Smith, Jason Thomas' replacement last season, to 93 yards passing and no touchdowns.
Dominguez showed its speed, sacking quarterback Greg Orlando five times. But Dominguez also had 18 penalties for 147 yards.
Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan justed wanted a victory.
"It's huge," he said. "I feel real good starting with a win with a young team. "
Santa Margarita looked like the 1997 version on its opening series, marching on an eight-play, 57-yard scoring drive that Orlando capped with a 1-yard touchdown on a sneak. Running back Spencer McCroskey powered the drive, rushing for 45 yards on six carries. The senior finished with 93 yards on 17 carries.
But Dominguez took the lead late in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Bentley. Dominguez didn't intend to go for the two-point conversion, but after a low snap, Smith threw to Ryan Thompson for the points.
Santa Margarita, which is ranked fourth in the county, took the lead for good with 3:16 left in the first half as Orlando hit Mike O'Gorman on a 4-yard touchdown pass. The quick slant was nearly picked off by Smith, who would have returned the pass for a touchdown. The Eagles' two-point conversion, a lateral by McCroskey failed.
By Dan Albano
Saturday, September 12, 1998
The Orange County Register - D12
