Nội dung bài viết
MISSION VIEJO — Santa Margarita’s defense is relying on several new contributors after losing many of its starters from its CIF State Open Division championship team last season. The inexperience on defense has not been an issue thus far and has instead been the strength of the team.
Santa Margarita got its second consecutive shutout and third of the season in a 28-0 win over Norco on Friday night at Saddleback College. Norco (4-1) was undefeated entering Friday and had scored at least 49 points in each of its four games.
The Cougars averaged 54 points per game and its closest margin of victory was a 30-point win over Etiwanda last week. Santa Margarita (5-0) has allowed just seven points in its last three games and just 27 points total this season.
Twenty of those points were by Centennial in a 21-20 win for the Eagles. “It’s been incredible,” Santa Margarita coach Carson Palmer said.
“A lot of youth on that side of the ball. They have five games under their belt now and they are coached by the best defensive coach in football in (Steve) Fifita.
They’ve really picked up where we left off last year.” A pair of freshmen have been key additions to Santa Margarita’s defense. Linebacke r Aydan Steen blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown and added a sack.
Jayden Jack intercepted a pass and returned it to the 1-yard line which led to a touchdown on the ensuing play. “They are playing well above their years,” Palmer said.
“Really excited about that young group and the seniors they are following are great leaders in front of them. Shutouts are tough and three of them are amazing.” Sophomore running back Adrian Petero had his second consecutive 100-plus yard rushing game with 141 yards and two touchdowns.
He ran for four touchdowns last week in a win over Inderkum which was the most for a Santa Margarita player since 2011. “I have to give thanks to my offensive line first,” Petero said.
“They put their all into this game. We still got more work to do but I’m proud of these guys.
We push each other to our limits.” Fletch Palmer completed 10 of 16 passes for 134 yards with a touchdown. He had 102 passing yards in the first two drives of the game.
On its first offensive possession, Santa Margarita went on a 6-play, 61-yard touchdown drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Palmer to Luke Gazzaniga. Early in the second quarter, Petero ran for a 9-yard touchdown to finish a 10-play, 81-yard scoring drive to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead.
Steen blocked a Norco punt early in the third quarter and Jagger Apt returned it 10 yards for an Eagles touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, Luca Amaya ran for a 5-yard touchdown to extend Santa Margarita’s lead to 28-0.
Norco was backed up to its own 1-yard line and Jack returned an interception 10 yards back to the line of scrimmage. Petero ran for his second touchdown on the next play to give the Eagles a 34-0 lead.
Julian Medina completed 30 of 41 passes with 178 yards for Norco. Tegan Ogas caught 10 passes for 62 yards and Henderson Carter V led Norco’s defense in tackles.
The Eagles held Norco to six yards rushing when including yardage lost on sacks. Steen, Cruz Nunez and Isaia Vandermade each had sacks for the Eagles.
Kingston Jimmerson and Daxton Karney combined for a sack and Vandermade recovered a fumble.
Gợi ý thực hành:
1. Theo dõi thông báo từ cơ quan địa phương tại California.
2. Kiểm tra nguồn chính thức trước khi chia sẻ lại thông tin.