No. 6 Eagles Handle Woodbridge

Sixth-ranked Santa Margarita won its fifth consecutive game Friday at Saddleback College and remained in first place in the Sea View League with a 23-6 victory over Woodbridge, which is winless in its last 23 games.

The Eagles (7-1, 3-0) didn’t display the kind of dominance they did in last week’s 17-0 defeat of Irvine, but took advantage of Woodbridge turnovers.

“A letdown was kind of to be expected,” Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan said. “We’ve played two tough games in league. If you are going to let down though, I guess this is when you want to do it.”

The Eagles struck midway through the first quarter on a 31-yard field goal by Nick Sparks.

Late in the second quarter, Billy Newman, who had 59 yards in 14 carries, rushed for a two-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead.

Santa Margarita’s Chris Long then recovered an onside kick, setting up a seven-yard drive, which ended in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to John Minardi. The Eagles failed to convert a two-point attempt, leaving the score 16-0.

Woodbridge (0-8, 0-3) fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half, giving Santa Margarita possession at Woodbridge’s 23-yard line. With 10 minutes 14 seconds left in the quarter, Damien Minna scored from two yards out.

Woodbridge scored with 22 seconds left in the game on a six-yard pass from Adam Lawyer to Scott Barlow.