Irvine Outlasts Santa Margarita
Reactions were swift and varied for Irvine after its 40-34 victory over Santa Margarita Friday night.
Quarterback Aron Garcia hopped, skipped and jumped to the sideline, waving his arms. Running back Scott Seal wiped grass from his face and flopped on the ground, sucking for air. And Coach Terry Henigan wiped his brow.
All over an up-and-back-again game in front 6,000 at Irvine High School.
The victory put the Vaqueros (5-1, 3-0), ranked seventh in Orange County, in control of the Sea View League and left the fourth-ranked Eagles (5-1, 2-1) visibly stunned.
“We outlasted them,” Garcia said. “We knew coming in it was going to be like this. We had to step up.”
Garcia certainly did, playing his best game of the season. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
More importantly, he scrambled and juked his way for 18 yards on a third-and-six play in the fourth quarter. It kept alive a drive that ended in a five-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Tony Mathis.
It gave Irvine a 40-34 lead with 6 minutes 35 seconds left. Far too much time, considering Santa Margarita quarterback Sean O’Brien had sliced and diced the Vaquero defense.
“Our defense hasn’t let us down all year,” Henigan said. “I knew they would be there at the end. I knew they would come up with a big play.”
They did, but not before being pushed around a little more.
O’Brien, who was 23 of 29 for 270 yards and three touchdowns, completed three consecutive passes to get the Eagles to midfield.
But on third and three, O’Brien was sacked by Chris Agotsch. On third and 10, O’Brien scrambled out of the pocket and right into the arms of linebacker Ryan Jones.
“I saw him coming and was ready,” Jones said. “He juked me earlier in the game. This time I aimed at his head.”
O’Brien was stopped short and the Vaqueros ran out the final three minutes.
“We had to make it happen,” Seal said. “We had to match them the whole way. But I’m really bruised.”
Undoubtedly, after carrying the ball 33 times for 183 yards.
Seal, who was playing with a bruised knee, pounded the Eagles throughout. He scored five touchdowns, four in the first half which ended tied, 27-27.
With Seal leading the way, the Vaqueros gained 283 yards rushing.
The Eagles, who had 356 total yards, countered with O’Brien’s pin-point passing. He went after the Vaqueros shorter cornerbacks, throwing to Brad and Brian Finneran, both of whom are 6-foot-4.
Brad Finneran caught nine passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns. His brother had nine receptions for 85 yards.
“I never expected anything like this,” Henigan said. “I’m happy we survived.
