Eagles 28 - Foothill 3
Eagles clamp down
TUSTIN, CA., October 4, 2007 – Eighth-ranked Santa Margarita continued its preparation for the Trinity League by posting its second consecutive strong defensive effort Thursday.
The Eagles forced five turnovers and blocked a punt en route to a 28-3 nonleague victory against previously undefeated Foothill at Tustin.
Last week, Santa Margarita's defense shut out previously undefeated Fountain Valley in the second half of another victory.
"This is a good game," said Santa Margarita coach Mike Jacot, whose team opens league next Friday against Servite.
"We definitely played hard defensively."
Foothill (4-1), ranked second in the Southwest Division to El Dorado, came into the game averaging 50 points.
Santa Margarita's defense was especially tough in the red zone. The Knights had five trips into the Eagles' red zone but came away with only a field goal.
"That's some character building for our guys," Jacot said. "We're going to need this kind of resiliency in league."
Defensive back AJ Cruz had two interceptions and linebacker John Michael Davis added one for the Eagles (3-2). Davis also blocked the punt.
Logan Harrell and Stephen Sales each had sacks.
Santa Margarita's defense pinned Foothill deep in its territory early in the fourth, giving the Eagles' starting field position at the Knights 40. Running back Carlo Audagnotti then broke a 40-yard touchdown run on the first play as the Eagles took a 21-3 lead with 8:31 left. The senior finished with 206 yards.
On Foothill's next possession, a fumble recovery by Santa Margarita's Chris Couwenberg at Foothill's 36 later led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Trevor Brooks with 5:40 left.
"Red zone and turnovers – that's what killed us," Foothill coach Doug Case said. "We moved the ball a little but when we got down to money football, we didn't execute the plays."
The Eagles finished with three turnovers.
Santa Margarita led 14-0 at halftime.
Davis blocked a punt deep in Foothill's territory midway through in the second quarter to setup an 11-yard touchdown pass by Brett Mason to Jake Arriola.
| Santa Margarita | 3 | 11 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| Foothill | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
SM – Maniaci 22 FG
SM – Maniaci 49 FG
SM – Arriola 11 pass from Mason (Sales pass from Mason)
FH – Barbour 20 FG
SM – Audagnotti 40 run (Maniaci kick)
SM – Brooks 1 run (Maniaci kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: FH - Camacho 15–62, Miller 18–34; SM - Audagnotti 22–206, Brooks 8–17
Passing: FH - Miller 6–18–3–110, Griffith 3–6–0–48; SM - Mason 13–23–1–168
Receiving: FH - Falbo 2–37, Anderson 2–42, Douglas 2–25; SM - Cruz 3–36, Davis 4–58
Records: SM 0–0, 3–2; FH 0–0, 4–1
By Dan Albano
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Orange County Register - Sports 1
