Eagles 42 - Leuzinger 7
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 15, 2023 – John Gazzaniga threw for 151 yards on 10-of-17 (58.8%) passing and two touchdowns for Santa Margarita Catholic as they rolled to a 42-7 win over Leuzinger (Lawndale) the last time out, two weeks ago Friday at Saddleback College. It was the final nonleague contest for the Eagles who finished that portion of the schedule with a 4-1 mark and now head into rugged Trinity League action.
Trent Mosley led the SMC offensive attack once again. The elusive sophomore caught six passes for 94 yards (15.7 average) and a touchdown. He also rushed for one. Gazzaniga and Skylar Lendsey added rushing touchdowns, while freshman Elijah “Eli” Robinson caught a 38-yard touchdown reception, the first of his varsity career.
Mosley’ added a rushing touchdown as well to give him 16 total scores for the season. Dating back to the final three games of last season, Mosley now has scored at least one touchdown in eight-consecutive games. The SMC record for most consecutive games with a touchdown scored is an amazing 17 games, held by John Ireland in the 1989-90 seasons. The most for a single season is 28, shared by Bryant Wolfsberger (1997) and Ryan Wolpin (2011).
The SMC defense was feisty. Noah Sulick, a real dynamo, had perhaps his best game as an Eagle as he led the club with nine tackles. Gage Burnett registered seven tackles. Sophomore defensive back Logan Hirou notched his fourth interception of the season and reached the end zone (31 yards) for the second time. Sulick and linebacker LeVar Talley each forced fumbles.
Kicker Ryan Gass was perfect on PAT conversion tries, 6-for-6 and is now 16-for-17 (94.1%) for the season.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 7 | 21 | 7 | 42 |
| Leuzinger | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
SM – Mosley 2 run (Gass kick)
L – Calimon 8 pass from Alexander (Paniagua kick)
SM – Gazzaniga 9 (Gass kick)
SM – Mosley 70 pass from Gazzaniga (Gass kick)
SM – Lendsey 10 run (Gass kick)
SM – Robinson 20 pass from Gazzaniga (Gass kick)
SM – Hirou 31 interception return (Gass kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Lendsey 10-51, Mosley 4-19, Robinson 2-10; L - Alexander 11-64
Passing: SM - Gazzaniga 10-17-0-151; L - Alexander 8-11-1-66
Receiving: SM - Mosley 6-94, Robinson 2-44; L - Thomas 2-17
Summary by Chuck Nan
Statistics by Shane Mielke
Football roundup: San Clemente, Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo begin season with victories
Santa Margarita 42, Leuzinger 7: John Gazzaniga threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns for Santa Margarita in a 42-7 win over Leuzinger Friday at Saddleback College.
Trent Mosley led Santa Margarita (4-1) in receiving with 96 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore added a rushing touchdown, his league-high 19th touchdown of the season.
Gazzaniga and Skylar Lendsey added rushing touchdowns for the Eagles, and freshman Elijah Robinson had a touchdown reception.
Noah Sulick led the Eagles defense with nine tackles and Logan Hirou had an interception, his fourth of the season. Sulick and Levar Talley each forced fumbles.
By Steve Fryer
Saturday, September 16, 2023
The Orange County Register
