Dorsey 27 - Eagles 7
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 17, 2004 – Santa Margarita couldn’t contain the speed and experience of the Dorsey Dons nor could they capitalize on red zone opportunities and fell 27-7 in their home opener at Saddleback College before 3,500 fans. The outcome evened both teams’ records at 1-1. The Eagles started out red-hot as they marched 82 yards on 12 plays in the first 5:51 to take a quick 7-0 lead. On the drive Jon Daniels completed five of seven passes including a 32-yard scoring strike to Kyle Bryant (seven receptions for 105 yards) where the senior receiver caught the pass on the five and twisted his way around two defenders and crossed the goalline for the score. The Dons needed only 41 seconds to tie the game as Jeremiah Johnson broke off a 43-yard scoring scamper at the 5:28 mark to tie it at seven all.
On the second play of the Eagles next offensive possession the Dons returned an interception to the Eagle 11 but were turned away on a great eight-play defensive stand that kept the score tied. After an exchange of punts the Dons returned an interception for a touchdown with 5:32 left in the half to take a 13-7 lead. With 4:10 left in the half Mike Rusert recovered a fumble on the Don 15 however, the Eagles were unable to convert on a fourth and goal from the one and went into the lockerroom down by six.
The Eagle defense responded again on the Don’s first series as Rusert and Brad Dixon teamed up for a sack on third down at the Don 21. A 15-yard punt return by Ryan Maxwell set up the Eagles on the visitors 34; however the drive stalled on the eight before a missed field goal from 24 yards out kept the score 13-7. Stefon Johnson’s 84-yard run increased the lead to 21-7 just 26 seconds later. The Eagles then proceeded to go on an impressive 15-play drive over the next 7:35. Using a mix of Daniels passes and Jon Angelo runs they picked up four first downs and got as far as the Dorsey 12 before another missed field goal ended a promising drive. Jeremiah Johnson’s 18-yard run with 4:32 left closed out the scoring.
Despite the early interceptions Daniels had a productive day completing 15 of 32 passes for a career-high 187 yards. The Eagles were very efficient between the twenties and managed 18 first downs and controlled the clock by a nearly 2:1 margin. Unfortunately, they were done in by turnovers and penalties and lack of effectiveness in the red zone on offense and missed tackles on defense. Rusert led the defense with nine tackles, ½ sacks and a fumble recovery while J.D. Dawson, added nine tackles of his own.
| Dorsey | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 27 |
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
SM – Bryant 32 pass from Daniels (Carrera kick)
DOR – J. Johnson 43 run (Russell kick)
DOR – Lowe 56 interception return (pass failed)
DOR – S. Johnson 85 run (Russell pass from Charles)
DOR – J. Johnson 18 run (kick blocked)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: DOR - S. Johnson 10-139, J. Johnson 13-102; SM - Villamor 15-65, Angelo 12-45
Passing: DOR - Charles 6-11-0-71; SM - Daniels 14-28-2-171
Receiving: DOR - J. Johnson 3-37, S. Johnson 2-26; SM - Bryant 7-103, Gordon 6-58
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Dorsey's big plays beat Santa Margarita
MISSION VIEJO – Tenth-ranked Santa Margarita could not stop the big play and struggled in the red zone in a 27-7 loss to Dorsey of Los Angeles in a nonleague game Friday night at Saddleback College.
The Eagles (1-1) took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter and had trouble the rest of the way with the athletic running tandem of Jeremiah and Stafon Johnson, who combined for 241 yards and three touchdowns.
Jeremiah Johnson scored on a 43-yard run on Dorsey's third offensive play, and Stafon Johnson broke off an impressive 85-yard touchdown run for a 21-7 lead late in the second half. Dorsey also had a 56-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chad Lowe in the second quarter.
"They had a good game plan," Santa Margarita coach Mike Jacot said of the Dons (1-1), contenders for the Los Angeles City Section title. "They utilized their speed."
Santa Margarita had the ball in the red zone three times but could not convert. Omar Villamar was stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line late in the first half, and the Eagles missed field goal attempts on their first two possessions of the second half.
Santa Margarita receiver Kyle Bryant had a team-high seven receptions for 103 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jon Daniels in the first quarter.
Running back John Angelo gained 36 of his 45 yards in the second half for the Eagles. Daniels completed 14 of 28 passes for 171 yards and two interceptions.
Jacot said it was a step backward offensively for his team, and he saw too many missed tackles.
"We're still young," Jacot said. "We're going to look at this as a learning experience."
Santa Margarita was without starting kicker Mike Fowle, who has sat out the first two games because of a hip injury. Jacot said Fowle might be ready next week.
By Curtis Zupke
Saturday, September 18, 2004
The Orange County Register - S2
