Magnolia Wins, 27-8, Now Plays Waiting Game

Magnolia High School’s football team celebrated its silver anniversary by completing its best season in 18 years with a 27-8 victory over Savanna Saturday night in Anaheim’s Glover Stadium.

The Sentinels finished the regular season with a 7-3 record, their first winning season since 1971. But Magnolia finished tied for third place with Brea-Olinda in the Orange League at 3-2, and Brea advanced to the Central Conference playoffs by virtue of its 24-13 victory over the Sentinels.

Magnolia will now play the waiting game. The Sentinels’ only chance of competing in the playoffs is by gaining a wild-card spot. The wild-card team will be announced at 10:30 this morning in Artesia.

John Hangartner, who revived the football program in his first season after the Sentinels had gone 34-103-3 in the past 15 years, was optimistic about gaining a berth in the postseason tournament.

“I think it will come down to us, Santiago and Fullerton for the wild-card spot,” Hangartner said. “If they go by strength of league, they have to pick us. We have the toughest league in the Central Conference.”

Fullerton, defending conference champion, finished with a 6-4 record, and Santiago matched Magnolia’s 7-3 mark. Santiago and Fullerton had losing records in league play, finishing 2-3.

Savanna (1-9) averted a shutout by scoring with only eight seconds remaining when quarterback Tony Osendorf threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to John Franks. Despite the dismal season, Rebel Coach Ron Milner said he would return next year.

“The majority of our starters tonight were underclassmen,” Milner said. “There’s hope for the future. Osendorf is only a sophomore and he figures to be the league’s second-team, all-league quarterback.”

Magnolia’s future will be decided today, but regardless of the outcome, a new sense of pride has been instilled into the football program under Hangartner. The school retired the jerseys of former star players Hank Bauer, Jim Bratten and Bob Jensen at halftime.

Magnolia put the game away in the first half, scoring on their opening four possessions to roll up a 27-0 lead. Quarterback John Hangartner Jr. made it look easy, completing all six of his pass attempts for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Tailback James Hargis also scored a touchdown and led the Sentinels’ running game with 143 yards in 20 carries before retiring late in the third quarter. Magnolia used 10 different ball carriers in the game.