Ayala Gets Tie With Santa Margarita

Penalties, turnovers and a set of headphones cost Chino Hills Ayala a possible victory over fourth-ranked Santa Margarita in a nonleague football game Thursday night at Cal State Fullerton as the teams played to a 21-21 tie in their season opener.

Ayala faced fourth and one at the Santa Margarita 43-yard line with 1 minute 28 seconds left when the Bulldogs were assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty because an official ruled that an assistant coach was wearing his headset in a huddle on the field during a timeout. As a result, Ayala was forced to punt.

The Bulldogs held Santa Margarita on its next possession and moved the ball back to the Eagle 22 with a second remaining on Charles Douglas’ 41-yard pass to tailback Robert Meza, but they failed to get off one last play before time expired.

Ayala Coach Lou Randall, infuriated by the unsportsmanlike conduct call, said afterward that his assistant coach was only wearing his headset around his neck in the huddle. Randall said he personally told the assistant to keep his headset off after the assistant was warned for wearing it in a huddle earlier in the game.

“We felt our opportunity to win was taken away not by a great Santa Margarita team but an official,” Randall said. “[Officials] should be like window dressing [and not play a factor in an outcome].”

Still, the result felt more like a victory for the Bulldogs, who outgained the Eagles, 460 yards to 167. Ayala moved the ball with regularity but was hindered by four turnovers. The Bulldogs also were called for four penalties on a first-quarter drive deep in Santa Margarita territory.

“It wasn’t the best step,” Meza said of the tie, “but it was a step that we needed.” Meza finished with 85 yards and a touchdown in five carries.

The Bulldogs took a 21-13 lead early in the fourth quarter when tailback Chaz Brewer (109 yards in 13 carries) ran for a 13-yard touchdown.

Santa Margarita responded on its next drive when Ashton White ran up the middle for a five-yard touchdown. Eagle quarterback Marshall Tharpe rolled right and ran into the end zone for a two-point conversion to tie the score.

Ayala led, 14-7, at the half after missing several chances to blow the game open. The Bulldogs had a drive stifled by penalties and watched three other drives end in turnovers. White, who finished with 100 yards in 25 carries, was one of few highlights for Santa Margarita, which entered the game ranked nationally by several publications. It was the first time the Eagles didn’t win their opener since 1994.

“We didn’t come here to tie,” Eagle Coach Jim Hartigan said. “We have a lot of work to do and we have to learn from this.”