Santa Margarita Rallies Past Bosco in Final Quarter

Derek Yankoff directed Santa Margarita on a 72-yard, nine-play drive in the last three minutes as the Eagles defeated Bellflower St. John Bosco, 35-32, in nonleague football Friday night at St. John Bosco.

Brad Finneran caught an 11-yard touchdown pass with 1:32 remaining to cap Santa Margarita’s rally from a 32-20 deficit early in the fourth quarter.

Running back Chris Collins, who had to leave the game several times because of leg cramps, made it 32-27 on a 21-yard run midway through the fourth quarter. Collins carried five of the six plays and gained 49 of the Eagles’ 58 yards on the drive.

Yankoff completed 15 of 25 for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Yankoff also rushed for 106 yards and scored on a two-yard run in the second quarter. Collins finished with 124 yards in 16 carries.

Santa Margarita opened the game with a 65-yard drive capped by Yankoff’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Brian Finneran.

St. John Bosco drove back and tied the score, 7-7, on a three-yard scoring run by junior running back Ryan Williams.

St. John Bosco took the lead, 13-7, when Williams scored from 24 yards on the Braves’ next possession. St. Margarita went up, 14-13, when Yankoff dove into the end zone from two yards out to cap a 74-yard, 11-play drive midway through the second quarter.

The Braves continued to trade scores, recovering a fumble at the Santa Margarita 11 and then making it 19-14 on Lamar Hillman’s three-yard run two plays later.

The Eagles went to a rushing game and made it 20-19 at halftime after Collins ran 13 yards, fumbled on the three and teammate Brian Griffin recovered and ran in for the touchdown.

The Braves scored twice early in the second half, on a one-yard run by Hillman and a 20-yard run by Williams.