Yankoff Takes Control in Santa Margarita Victory

Derek Yankoff rushed for two touchdowns and threw for one score to lead Santa Margarita to a 24-10 victory over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame Friday night at Saddleback College.

Yankoff, a senior, kept Notre Dame off-balance almost single handedly as he ran for 89 yards in 15 carries and picked apart the Knights’ secondary, completing 13 of 23 passes--including nine to Brian Finneran--for 113 yards and one touchdown.

Notre Dame started the scoring with a 49-yard field goal by Chris Sailer. Santa Margarita’s defense clamped down after that. By halftime, Notre Dame had just nine yards total offense. While Santa Margarita’s defense was shutting down Notre Dame, the Eagles’ offense was lighting it up. Santa Margarita drove 70 yards in eight plays and scored on Yankoff’s 11 yard scramble. Ryan Korinke added the extra point to make it 7-3.

On Santa Margarita’s next possession, Yankoff scored on fourth and one to cap a 12-play, 48-yard drive. Korinke’s kick made it 14-3.

The Eagles added another touchdown just before halftime when Yankoff threw nine yards to Brian Finneran for a touchdown.

Notre Dame cut the deficit to 21-10 after John Velasquez ran seven yards for a touchdown and Sailer added the extra point.

Santa Margarita stretched its lead to 24-10 when Korinke kicked a 22-yard field goal with 11:46 in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame mounted one final drive and moved to the Santa Margarita nine, but the Eagles defense sealed the victory when it forced Notre Dame quarterback Jabbar Craigwell to fumble and Santa Margarita recovered with 55 seconds left.