Eagles 24 - Dorsey 14
Santa Margarita again plays tough defense
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 15, 2006 – Santa Margarita entered its game against Dorsey on Friday night feeling a little underappreciated.
But after a solid effort against the Los Angeles City Section school, the Eagles might get some more attention.
Ranked seventh in Orange County but unranked in the Pac-5 Division, Santa Margarita posted a 28-14 non-league victory at Saddleback College.
Ryan Maxwell, John Michael Davis and the Eagles' defense helped push Santa Margarita (3-0) past Dorsey (1-2) for the second consecutive season.
Maxwell, a senior, returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead. Maxwell got a second chance for the return after Dorsey punted again after a penalty on Santa Margarita on the first punt attempt. Maxwell returned that chance 31 yards.
On the touchdown, Maxwell set the school's career record for punt-return yardage.
In the fourth, Maxwell made a leaping, 36-yard reception over a defender to give the Eagles the ball at Dorsey's 9. Chris Spangenberg scored on a run on the next play as Santa Margarita took a 28-7 lead.
Davis, a sophomore who transferred from Orange Lutheran, had two of the Eagles' four interceptions, including one in the second quarter that set up his 53-yard touchdown run.
On the scoring run, Davis took the snap as quarterback, faked a handoff and bolted untouched as the Eagles took a 21-0 lead with 4:57 left in the first half.
Santa Margarita could have led by more but had a 43-yard field goal blocked, missed a 35-yard field goal attempt and fumbled on third down from Dorsey's 20.
On the drive that ended with the fumble, Davis took a double reverse from Maxwell and ran 44 yards to Dorsey's 18.
Kyle Aldridge and Matt Meyer also had interceptions for Santa Margarita's defense.
For the third consecutive game, the Eagles didn't allow a touchdown in the first half. Santa Margarita also held Dorsey to 46 yards rushing.
Dorsey opened the second half with a 65-yard scoring drive. Dorsey then scored in the fourth after Sule' Tate returned a fumble 45 yards to set up Marlon Calix's 25-yard touchdown run with 6:07 left.
Despite a season-opening victory against Long Beach Poly, the Eagles didn't crack this week's Pac-5 rankings. "We got a lot of guys who want to prove themselves," Santa Margarita coach Mike Jacot said.
Santa Margarita has a bye next week before playing Fountain Valley and Foothill. The Eagles open the Trinity League against Mater Dei.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
| Dorsey | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
SM – Maxwell 74 punt return (Reisinger kick)
SM – Pizzurro 24 pass from Reisinger (Reisinger kick)
SM – Davis 53 run (Reisinger kick)
DOR – Johnson 1 run (Gamez kick)
SM – Spangenberg 9 run (Reisinger kick)
DOR – Calix 25 run (Gamez kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Dor - Calix 7-33, Franklin 8-19; SM - Davis 3-100, Spangenberg 25-95
Passing: Dor - Handel 13-26-4-157; SM - Reisinger 7-15-0-96
Receiving: Dor - Gamez 4-36, Frampton 3-70, Wimbish 3-11; SM - Maxwell 2-46, Davis 2-9
By Dan Albano
Saturday, September 16, 2006
The Orange County Register - Varsity 2
