No. 8 Santa Margarita Grinds Out 20-13 Victory Over Saddleback

Santa Margarita overcame the rain and bounced back from its only loss of the season to defeat Saddleback, 20-13, Friday night at Saddleback College.

“I knew the weather was going to be a factor,” said Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan, whose team’s only loss came against Irvine last week. “We’re a team that likes to throw the football and run the option. I’m glad we came out with a win.”

Capitalizing on a partially blocked punt and a fumble recovery, the Eagles (6-1, 3-1) built a 17-7 halftime lead on touchdown drives of 34 and 76 yards and a 31-yard Ryan Korinke field goal.

Korinke kicked a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 20-7, but Saddleback (3-4, 2-2) climbed back in the fourth quarter with a 49-yard touchdown drive capped by a one-yard run by Aaron Pulsifer.

With the rain pouring, Santa Margarita managed to run six minutes off the clock on its next possession before it punted.

Saddleback took over at its own 26 and advanced past midfield, but the Eagles eventually stopped the Roadrunners to preserve the victory.

Hartigan said the Eagles plan to return to the passing next week against Tustin. But for one week, the bad-weather offense worked just fine.

“Our coach has wanted us to pass and that’s what we’ve been practicing all week,’ quarterback Sean O’Brien said. “But with the weather, we had to run the ball, and we did a good job. That’s all that matters.”

Saddleback’s Shon Caldwell led all rushers with 149 yards in 23 carries. Chris Tiernan led Santa Margarita with 70 yards in 12 carries. Saddleback quarterback Danny Ruvolo completed 10 passes in 18 attempts for 82 yards and a touchdown.