Mater Dei 34 - Eagles 0
ANAHEIM, CA., November 6, 1999 – In one of the most eagerly anticipated matchups in Orange County football history, the Mater Dei Monarchs handed the Eagles their first shutout with a convincing 34-0 win before an estimated 17,000 at Edison International Field. The win improved the Monarchs to 7-2 and 2-0 in Serra Legue play with the Eagles falling to 6-3 and 1-1. Mater Dei moved the ball effectively all evening piling up 400 yards and punting only three times in 11 possessions while limiting the Eagles to 155 total yards and only four plays of 10 yards or more. After missing a field goal on their first possession, the Monarchs marched 79 yards on six plays capped by Matt Linert's first 13-yard scoring pass to Justin Gruettke. Late in the second quarter, Linert and Gruettke hooked up again from 13-yards out at the 0:32 mark to go into the lockerroom with a 13-0 lead. After forcing the Eagles to go three-and-out at the start of the third quarter, Ray Gilbert returned a Matt Vogel punt 60-yards for a score. A two-point conversion run by Linert made it 21-0. Matt Grootegoed added two rushing Tds from 18- and six-yards out to close out the scoring. Although the Eagles had an off night solid efforts were turned in by several players including junior tackle Ryan Lumm who was named Offensive Lineman of the Game for the 3rd straight week. Senior LB Jimmy Whithorne led the Eagles with eight tackles while juniors Vogel (seven tackles, interception, fumble recovery) and DB Tyler Thompson (seven tackles) spearheaded the Eagle defensive effort.
| Mater Dei | 7 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
| Santa Margarita | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MD – Gruettke 14 pass from Leinart (New kick)
MD – Gruettke 13 pass from Leinart (kick failed)
MD – Gilbert 60 punt return (Leinart run)
MD – Grootegoed 18 run (kick failed)
MD – Grootegoed 6 run (New kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Herzog 12-50, Thompson 10-43; MD - Grootegoed 10-87, Palacios 12-51
Passing: SM - Rix 7-22-1-54; MD - Leinart 12-19-1-223
Receiving: SM - Doomey 2-21, Creager 3-16; MD - Diulio 3-99, Grootegoed 3-49
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Mater Dei has little trouble
The No. 1 Monarchs dominate, 34-0, in their first encounter with Santa Margarita
ANAHEIM – Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan had long insisted his football program was not quite ready to take on Mater Dei.
On Saturday night, at least, Hartigan was proved correct.
In the first football game between the two Catholic high schools, Mater Dei ripped Santa Margarita, 34-0, in front of 12,063 at Edison Field.
"We didn't play well enough on offense to stay in the game," Hartigan said. "We were very erratic offensively. And, obviously, Mater Dei is a really good football team, and they played well tonight."
Santa Margarita, ranked sixth in Orange County, trailed the top-ranked Monarchs 13-0 at halftime. However, less than two minutes into the third quarter, Mater Dei's Ray Gilbert returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown.
The Monarchs defense increased the pressure on Eagles quarterback Chris Rix (Mater Dei recorded five sacks) and continued to shut down Santa Margarita through the final two quarters. The Monarchs held Florida State-bound Rix to 7-for-22 passing for 54 yards.
Rix's counterpart, Matt Leinart, had a much better time of it.
He was 12 for 19 for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Both of his touchdowns were to tight end Justin Gruettke.
Mater Dei's Matt Grootegoed scored on touchdown runs of 18 and 6 yards.
By Steve Fryer
Sunday, November 7, 1999
The Orange County Register - D1
