WOODBRIDGE 20 - EAGLES 12
MISSION VIEJO, CA., November 13, 1998 – The Eagles lost their second game in as many weeks by falling to the Sea View League Co-Champion Woodbridge Warriors 20-12 at Saddleback College. The loss snapped the Eagles 17-game home winning streak and dropped them into third place in the Sea View League standings. Despite outgaining the Warriors 245-222, the Eagles sputtered most of the night and had only two drives longer than 21 yards. The Eagles could only convert three of 12 third down conversions, and all four of their turnovers were inside their own territory allowing Woodbridge to win the battle of field position. The defense played well, led by Matt Szkalak’s 13 tackles, but they allowed the Warriors to convert three key third down conversions in the second half to keep drives alive. After two turnovers and four punts on their first six possessions helped the Warriors to a 17-0 lead, Greg Orlando found Trent Zinn on a 43-yard touchdown pass to close within 17-6 at the half. A three-yard touchdown run by Spencer McCroskey with 8:23 left closed the gap to 17-12; however, two interceptions by Woodbridge on consecutive Eagle drives sealed the Warrior victory.
| Woodbridge | 14 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Santa Margarita | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
WOOD – Jenson 8 run (Terwiske kick)
WOOD – Foster 17 pass from Barlow (Terwiske kick)
WOOD – FG Terwiske 43
SM – Zinn 43 pass from Orlando (kick blocked)
SM – McCroskey 3 run (pass failed)
WOOD – FG Terwiske 44
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Wood - Jenson 9-42, Harris 14-23; SM - McCroskey 14-57, Orlando 15-41
Passing: Wood - Barlow 10-19-0-148; SM - Orlando 10-26-3-130
Receiving: Wood - Foster 4-42, Runk 2-32; SM - O'Gorman 4-22, Lopez 3-31
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Woodbridge triumphs
MISSION VIEJO – There is nothing flashy about Woodbridge.
The Warriors don't have gaudy statistics or superstar players being recruited by the nation's top college teams. They just win.
Woodbridge got its first victory against Santa Margarita in seven tries, beating the Eagles, 2012, to clinch a share of the Sea View League title on Friday night in front of 5,000 at Saddleback College.
It was Woodbridge's first league title since winning the Pacific Coast League title in 1988. The Warriors, the top-ranked team in Division VI, finish the regular season 9-0-1 overall, 4-0-1 in league. Irvine (8-1-1, 4-0-1) earned a share of the league title with a 34-15, victory against Newport Harbor Friday night. Woodbridge and Irvine tied, 17-17, in Week 6. Woodbridge will enter next week's playoffs as the league's top seed after winning a coin flip with Irvine late Friday.
"This is great, coming from where we've been," Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. "This was one of our goals at the beginning of the season. We've been pointing toward this game all season.
Santa Margarita, ranked third in Division VI, finishes the regular season 7-3 overall and 3-2 for third place in league.
The Warriors won by using the same formula they've used all season: a hard-nosed defense, no turnovers and an opportunistic offense.
Woodbridge scored its final 13 points off turnovers.
"Our defense stepped up and did everything they needed to do," Gibson said. "Turnovers were the difference. We scored our points off turnovers. It all stemmed from our defense.'
Quarterback Scott Barlow directed the Warriors to an eight play, 66-yard scoring drive on their third possession of the game. Barlow completed a 30 yard pass to Oren Masserman and a 27-yarder to Ryan Rommelfanger to convert third downs and keep the drive alive.
Eric Jenson capped off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.
Danve Grualva recovered a Spencer McCroskey fumble at Santa Margarita's 36 and two plays later Barlow found his tight end, Zach Foster, on a play action pass for a 14-yard touchdown.
Santa Margarita's next offensive series ended quickly as Shane Harris intercepted a Greg Orlando pass at the Eagles 31. The Warriors settled for a 43 yard field goal by Steve Terwiske for a 17-0 lead with 9:27 left in the half.
Orlando connected with Trent Zinn for a 43-yard scoring pass on fourth down with 1:00 remaining in the first half.
By Carlos Arias
Saturday, November 14, 1998
The Orange County Register - D11
