ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Santa Margarita Doesn’t Look Ahead and Wins, 28-6

Jim Hartigan has never overlooked an opponent. But if he could, St. Augustine of San Diego would have been a likely candidate.

The Eagles substituted early and often. They scored twice to open each half then let their defense stop the Saints’ potent running attack in a 28-6 victory Friday at Saddleback College.

Santa Margarita is ranked ninth in Orange County and No. 3 in Division VIII. On everyone’s mind, though, was next week’s showdown against Fountain Valley, the first real test this season for the undefeated Eagles (4-0).

“Overall we got the win but we have a big game next week against Fountain Valley,” Hartigan said. “We tried to play a lot of people tonight. It’s a long season.”

Santa Margarita running back Billy Newman, who normally also starts at safety, was well rested. He matched his season total by rushing for four touchdowns. He scored on runs of 14, two, 25 and one yards.

Newman finished with 97 yards in 15 carries. He has 376 yards for the season. The Eagles offense compiled 294 yards against St. Augustine (2-2), San Diego Section semifinalists last season.

Yet it was the Eagles’ defense that deserved the plaudits. They limited the Saints’ speedy sophomore tailback, Johnnie Holmes, to just 35 yards in 12 carries. Two weeks ago, Holmes ran for 240 yards against Montgomery High.

On the season, the Eagles’ defense is allowing 8.5 points a game.