Eagles 27 - Dorsey 21
LOS ANGELES, CA., September 16, 2005 – Ryan Maxwell scored three touchdowns in three different ways and set three school records along the way as the Eagles defeated State ranked (no. 12) and the no. 1 ranked LA Section Dorsey Dons 27-21 before a crowd on 3,000 at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The win improved the Eagles to 2-0 and avenged a 27-7 setback to the Dons last season at Saddleback College despite the best efforts of Stafon Johnson who racked up 205 yards rushing and three scores of his own. With the loss Dorsey fell to 1-1.
With 0:37 left an uneventful first quarter marked by a series of trades punts Ryan Maxwell corralled a Don punt at his own 12 and immediately worked his magic. Moving to his right and making a move on a defenser at the 20 Ryan hit another gear near the Eagle sideline at the 30 and raced untouched 88 yards to put the Eagles up 6-0. The return was the longest in school history breaking the mark of 84 yards set in 2003 by Ryan Nienhuis at Redlands. The Don’s responded as they went 67 yards on six plays highlighted by a 38-yard run by Johnson an capped by his 10-yard scoring run where he rolled to his left and faked a halfback option pass before sprinting into the endzone for a score and a 7-6 lead.
The Eagles took the kickoff and marched to midfield but their drive stalled. A 54-yard punt by Thomas Hull set the Dons back at their one-foot line. The Eagles forced a three-and-out and a Don punt, which Maxwell returned to the Don 30. From there the Eagles went to work as Maxwell ran for 8 before runs of 6 and 15 yards by Angelo gave the visitors a first-and-goal at the one. From there Jon Daniels (eight of 20 for 130 yards) took it to paydirt and a 12-7 lead. Daniels hit Ross Cumming for a two-point conversion to make it 14-7 with 2:30 left in the half. The Eagles forced a Don punt with 0:39 left in the half. From their own 40 Daniels launched a beautiful 60-yard bomb to Maxwell who caught it on the Don 25 and sidestepped a defender before racing into the endzone for a 21-7 Eagle halftime lead.
On the first play of the third quarter Johnson showed why he’s the best back in the nation as he took a handoff, ran behind his right tackle and suddenly exploded through and over the Eagle defense for an impressing 65-yard scoring jaunt at the 11:51 mark. The Eagles advanced into Don territory on their next series, but were forced to punt. Three plays later Cumming intercepted a pass at the Don 29 and returned it to the 20 where Maxwell took an end around the distance from the tight end position to make it 27-14 with 7:24 left in the quarter. On the next Don possession JD Dawson (Defensive Skill Player of the Game) blitzed and forced a fumble with was recovered by Andrew Johnson, but unfortunately after Maxwell’s third score the Eagle offense went into hibernation and relied on the defense and special teams to preserve the win. On the Don’s next possession Johnson fumbled and Kyle Aldridge (10 tackles) recovered at the Eagle 30 to end a host threat. With 1:47 left Johnson plunged over from a yard out to make it 27-21 before Maxwell recovered the onsides kick to preserve the victory.
Defensively, the Eagles were led by Cumming’s 13 tackles and Aldridge’s and Conner Plante’s 10 tackles apiece. Logan Harrell logged his second sack of the season while Brad Dixon earned Defensive Lineman of the Game for his five tackle performance.
| Santa Margarita | 6 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 27 |
| Dorsey | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
SM – Maxwell 88 punt return (kick failed)
D – Johnson 10 run (Sanchez kick)
SM – Daniels 1 run (Daniels pass to Maxwell)
SM – Maxwell 60 pass from Daniels (Bestard kick)
D – Johnson 65 run (Sanchez kick)
SM – Maxwell 20 run (kick failed)
D – Johnson 1 run (Sanchez kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Angelo 13-76, Maxwell 2-28; Dor - Johnson 25-229, Wallace 1-2
Passing: SM - Daniels 8-20-130-1; Dor - Tate, 15-23-155-1
Receiving: SM - Maxwell 3-74, Gordon 3-33; Dor - Gomez 5-69, Frampton 4-59
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Max' effort lifts Eagles
LOS ANGELES – An unusual three-touchdown game by Ryan Maxwell helped Santa Margarita to a 27-21 victory over Dorsey at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday night.
Maxwell, a junior wide receiver, had a school-record 88-yard punt return for one touchdown, a 60-yard pass reception for another and a 20-yard scoring run to complete the triple-touchdown performance.
Santa Margarita's defense was tested by Dorsey's Stafon Johnson, who rushed for 229 yards and also scored three touchdowns. But the Eagles (2-0) were able to force two turnovers in the second half and hold on for the victory.
Playing on the road against a Los Angeles City Section team for the first time in school history, the Eagles built a 21-7 lead at halftime. But Johnson scampered 65 yards up the middle to cut the lead to 21-14 in the opening seconds of the second half.
An interception by Santa Margarita linebacker Ross Cumming ended one Dorsey drive later in the half. A sack by J.D. Dawson caused a Dorsey fumble that was recovered by Andrew Johnson to end another drive.
By Graig Woodburn
Saturday, September 17, 2005
The Orange County Register - Varsity 4
