PREP EXTRA / SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Santa Margarita Tops Huntington Beach for First Victory

Santa Margarita forced five Huntington Beach turnovers and picked up its first victory, 17-7, Friday night at Saddleback College.

The Eagles started junior transfer quarterback Kevin McNeil. On his first and only pass of the game, he connected on a seam pass to Brian Griffin, who headed down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown with 3:05 left in the first quarter.

Two plays later, Oiler quarterback David Yadrick returned the favor, and tied the score, 7-7, when he hit tight end Billy Campbell for a 78-yard touchdown with 1:39 left in the quarter.

Santa Margarita took a 10-7 lead with 5:40 left in the half on a 22-yard field goal by Ryan Korinke. An interception by Griffin set up the score.

The Eagles’ final score came on a controversial call as defensive back David Munoz intercepted a pass from Yadrick with six seconds remaining in the half and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown.

Oiler players and coaches thought the ball had bounced. So did Munoz, who sat on the ground momentarily before heading for the end zone.

“We haven’t had any breaks in a while,” Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan said. “Tonight, we got some and we created some. It’s just great to get a win.”

McNeil, who transferred from the New Mexico Military Institute and played last week for Santa Margarita’s junior varsity team, led the Eagles’ running game with 16 carries for 41 yards. Griffin and Munoz each had two interceptions.