Santa Margarita Gets Rude Welcome From Trabuco Hills

For a while it was festive. A band played, cheerleaders cheered and fans filled the stadium at Saddleback College Friday night. Santa Margarita High School’s first varsity football season was off to a glorious start.

And then its game with Trabuco Hills began and the mood, on the field at least, changed considerably.

Trabuco Hills welcomed Santa Margarita to Orange County’s varsity ranks with a 50-14 victory over the Eagles in front of 3,500.

Santa Margarita stayed close for a half, but a big running back named Ben Rooker trampled the Eagles’ hopes for an upset victory over Trabuco Hills, the defending Southern Section Division VIII champion.

Trabuco Hills led, 16-7, at halftime despite having more experience, and bigger players.

But Rooker, a 6-foot-3, 203-pound junior, shifted into high gear and got Trabuco Hills rolling.

He rushed for three touchdowns in the third quarter as the Mustangs stretched their lead to 42-14 entering the fourth period. Rooker finished with 200 yards and four touchdowns in 19 carries.

“When he was young, he was a little scatback, but he’s been growing so much he’s more like a power back,” said Jim Barnett, Trabuco Hills coach. “He showed a few quick moves, though.”

Tim Manning, the Mustangs’ best athlete, put together a fair debut at quarterback. Manning, who played defensive back and wide receiver for last season’s championship team, completed 12 of 16 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown.

He also ran 27 yards for a touchdown, capping the Mustangs’ first series in the third quarter.

“He looked like a quarterback to me,” Barnett said. “I’m sure you guys will see worse ones this season. He’s a super athlete. He used his head out there.”

Santa Margarita’s highlights came early in the game.

Trevor Yankoff, the Eagles’ quarterback, scored the school’s first varsity touchdown on a one-yard sneak with 11:18 left in the first half. It also gave the Eagles their first lead, 7-3.