Santiago - Game Notes
This week the Eagles (1-0) host the Corona Santiago Sharks (also 1-0) at Trabuco Hills High School. The Sharks are coming off a convincing 47-21 win over Redlands. This will be the first meeting between these two schools, but not the first between the Eagles and a Big VIII foe. The Eagles are currently 3-0 against these teams including 1-0 vs Corona Centennial and 2-0 vs. Norco.
Please note that kickoff is set for 7:30 pm at Trabuco Hills and the game will be broadcast live on the Internet via Fox Sports West's Fox Prep Zone. The game can be viewed at www.foxsportswest.com. For those attending the game in person, please note that space in the pressbox is limited and if you would like to reserve a seat, or have any special requests related to your coverage of the game please let us know.
Last week the Eagles defeated the Bishop Amat Lancer's 26-21 before a packed house at Saddleback College. In that game, junior QB KJ Costello completed a school record 27 passes (in 43 attempts) for 308 yards and two TDs. Junior RB/LB Matt Mark gained a game-high 96 yards rushing and two TDs and added nine tackles and an interception he returned 20 yards. Senior DE Rick Wade spearheaded the defensive effort with 13 tackles and 1/2 sack. In two career games vs. the Lancers Wade has registered 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The Eagles also ran a school-record 86 offensive plays against the Lancers (for 474 yards) breaking the previous mark of 80 against Los Alamitos in 2011.
This week, the Eagles play host to the Corona Santiago Sharks out of the Pac-5's Big VIII League. The Sharks finished the 2013 campaign with a 6-6 record and are led by senior QB, and Alabama commit, Blake Barnett. Interestingly the Sharks and Eagles were ranked 44th and 45th respectively in CalHi Sports Pre-Season Top 50.
The Eagles are very familiar with Trabuco Hills High School's Mustang Stadium. They are 8-3 all-time at that venue including a 2-1 mark as the home team. Their most memorable game there was in 2002 when they hosted Mater Dei and won 19-0 to help secure a CIF-SS Division I playoff berth.
The Santago game will be the 49th consecutive game against Division-I level competition dating back to week 5 of the 2010 season - a 31-7 win over then Division I Los Alamitos. Through the first 48 games in that stretch the Eagles have gone 35-13 (.729). Amazingly, 64 of the Eagles’ last 68 games have been against Division I-level competition.
Santa Margarita has gone 98-64-1 (.604) against Division I competition dating back to a 13-12 win over Servite in 1991 when the Eagles were in their third varsity season. This includes a 15-4 mark against Division I teams outside of the Southern Section such as San Jose Bellarmine Prep, Phoenix Brophy Prep and Las Vegas Bishop Gorman.
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
