Welch’s team gets its kicks by blocking them

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Not sure if there’s a central place keeping track of blocked kicks -- although I’m reasonably sure such a statistical nirvana doesn’t exist -- but if there is, St. Margaret’s must be leading the charge.

With its blocked punt against Santa Ana Calvary Chapel in a 37-6 victory, the Tartans now have eight blocks in six games.

‘I’ve never been associated with a team that’s blocked eight kicks in six games,’ said the Tartans’ first-year coach, Harry Welch, pictured right, who has been associated with plenty of teams in his 40 years of coaching. ‘You never block kicks. If you watch Monday night it might happen, but it’s probably not going to happen. If you watch Saturday afternoon it might happen, but it’s probably not going to happen.

‘I don’t care what level you’re playing at, it doesn’t happen very often. And we’ve mixed it up, it’s not just one guy, which makes it more remarkable.’

If only Welch’s former team, No. 24 Canyon Country Canyon, could have blocked a field-goal attempt on the final play of its 31-28 loss to No. 5 Hart, the Comanches would share first place atop the Foothill League. Instead, they are remarkable losers in a game for the ages in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Another statistical nugget: The touchdown that undefeated St. Margaret’s allowed in the fourth quarter on Friday was the first second-half TD it has allowed this season.

Things are going pretty well for the former Canyon coach at the small private school in San Juan Capistrano.

- Martin Henderson

-- Image by Karen Tapia-Andersen/Los Angeles Times