DIVISION V FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Santa Margarita’s Big Chance Blows Away

A bad snap from center cost Santa Margarita a chance to kick a game-winning field goal with two seconds remaining and Palm Desert came away with a 26-25 victory in a Division V quarterfinal Friday at Saddleback College.

After setting up for a 23-yard attempt, the ball landed in kicker Sean O’Brien’s hands and he tried a feeble pass that fell incomplete. The Eagles missed three field-goal attempts, three extra points and muffed one punt because of bad snaps caused in part by a swirling wind.

Palm Desert (8-4) trailed, 19-0, midway through the second quarter. The Eagles (7-4-1) outgained the Aztecs in the opening quarter, 250-37. Palm Desert plays Corona, a 40-14 winner over Montclair.

Anton Villanueva opened the scoring with a 90-yard touchdown run and Josh Ireland added two one-yard runs. Bob Watts’ extra point after the second touchdown was the only successful kick for the Eagles.

But the Aztecs scored 26 consecutive points, the final touchdown coming on a one-yard run by quarterback Mark Pitts, to lead 26-19.

The Eagles came back, though, scoring on fourth and three with 4 minutes 31 seconds left as O’Brien found receiver Brian Finneran alone for a 35-yard touchdown. The snap on the PAT sailed high above the holder, leaving the Eagles’ trailing by one.

Palm Desert was forced to punt with 2:06 left and Santa Margarita had the ball at its 31. A pass interference penalty and a fourth-down pass to Ireland put the ball at the 11, but the Eagles could get no further than the 5.