Redlands East Valley 21 - EAGLES 20
REDLANDS, CA., November 18, 2005 – Redlands East Valley High School stared another opening round loss right in the jowls of a possible game-winning field goal by Santa Margarita, just seconds remaining in last week's opener at the University of Redlands.
The Citrus Belt League champion Wildcats (10-0-1), third-seeded in the CIF Division I playoffs had former principal Tom Davis on the sidelines. It was Davis who hired current coach Kurt Bruich away from Cerritos High School following the 2001 season.
Bruich, who has led REV to four straight playoff berths and two CBL championships, finally has a post-season triumph on his record. REV did it by overcoming the loss of 2,000-yard throwing QB Ronnie Fouch (33 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) by inserting senior Mike Stadler for the injured starter.
Stadler had plenty of help, particularly from sophomore Chris Polk (87 yards rushing, 89 receiving) and a sensational catch on a 32-yard touchdown pass by Aaron Pittman.
But the Wildcats' defense and special teams rose to the occasion. Linebacker Derrel Acrey and safety Phil Nageotte blocked kicks, which forced overtime.
And when Santa Margarita (5-6, tied for third in the Serra League) tried a two-point PAT pass, cornerback Marquis Johnson picked it off to preserve a 21-20 triumph.
Acrey, who scored a pair of touchdowns, racked up 55 yards rushing in the Wildcats' short-yardage attack.REV, after playoff losses to Mater Dei, Lakewood and Long Beach Wilson, put away the Eagles for the first post-season triumph in four tries.
Eagle QB Jon Daniels finished the night 15/26 for 183 yards, 1TD and 1 INT. RB John Angelo rushed 17 times for 77 yards. Running backs Adam Hovsepian and Chris MacLean each scored 1 TD. Wide Receiver Ryan Maxwell caught 6 passes for 85 yards and 1 TD. On defense DB JD Dawson had 12 tackles (5 solo, 7 asst). LB Kyle Aldridge had 11 tackles (5 solo, 6 asst). DB John Angelo had 10 tackles (5 solo, 5 asst). Defensive lineman Andrew Johnson had 5 tackles (2 solo, 3 asst) and 1.5 sacks.
| Redlands East Valley | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Santa Margarita | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 20 |
SM – Hovsepian 2 run (kick blocked)
REV – Acrey 4 run (Banta kick)
REV – Pittman 34 pass from Stadler (Banta kick)
SM – MacLean 3 run (Maxwell pass from Daniels)
REV – Acrey 3 run (Banta kick)
SM – Maxwell 25 pass from Daniels (pass failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Angelo 17-77, Daniels 10-30; REV - Polk 16-82, Acrey 10-47
Passing: SM - Daniels 15-26-1-183; REV - Stadler 16-23-0-190
Receiving: SM - Maxwell 6-85, Cisna 3-41; REV - Polk 11-125
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Eagles fall in overtime
REDLANDS – Santa Margarita coach Mike Jacot didn't hesitate to go for the two-point conversion. Marquese Johnson didn't hesitate to make a break on the ball.
The result was a dramatic interception by the Redlands East Valley defensive back of a conversion pass from Jon Daniels that gave the Wildcats a 21-20 overtime victory against the Eagles on Friday.
The victory, in front of 4,200 at the University of Redlands, sent the Wildcats to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs.
"It feels good,” said Johnson, a transfer from San Diego Helix. “I read the quarterback's eyes and saw it going to the fullback. I just had to keep my head up after getting beaten on the play before."
The Eagles picked on Johnson for the overtime touchdown that reduced Santa Margarita's deficit to one point. Ryan Maxwell beat Johnson on a deep pass to the corner of the end zone.
While Johnson's quick handed theft meant sudden victory for the Wildcats, it spelled the end to a tough season for Santa Margarita (5-6).
"I didn't hesitate going for the two-pointer because of the problems we had with our kicking game," Jacot said.
Redlands East Valley blocked a 42-yard field-goal attempt at the end of regulation.
By John Murphy
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005
The Orange County Register - Varsity 17
