Bray Leads Way, Eagles Claim Title

It wasn’t pretty, but Capistrano Valley Christian secured its second consecutive Academy League title Friday, defeating host St. Margaret’s, 42-10.

Jamie Bray rushed for 166 yards in 28 carries as the Eagles (7-3, 4-0 in league) overcame five turnovers--much to the relief of Coach Keith Patefield, who said his team accomplished “what we came here to do.”

Four of the turnovers--three interceptions and a fumble recovery--came at the hands of St. Margaret’s Erik Hallenbeck, who accounted for all 10 of the Tartans’ points. Hallenbeck returned one of his interceptions 100 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. He also kicked a 47-yard, first-quarter field goal--which cleared by plenty--and an extra point.

Capistrano Valley Christian led at the half, 21-3, largely because St. Margaret’s (4-4-1, 1-2) also played giveaway. The Tartans had three turnovers in the first half and four in the game.

The Tartans’ first turnover came on the game’s third play, a Cory Westrope pass that was intercepted by Jamie Bray, who returned it to the St. Margaret 10. That was turned into the Eagles’ first touchdown as Bray did the honors himself with a one-yard run.

Capistrano Valley Christian pulled away with two second-quarter touchdowns, a 23-yard run by Bray and a 25-yard pass from Jason Ward to Tyler Graves.

The Eagles’ three fourth-quarter scores came on a 13-yard run by Wayne Longway, a 28-yard pass from Ward to Bob Jansen and a one-yard run by Bray.