TODAY’S TITLE GAME: SMALL SCHOOLS DIVISION

San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret’s (14-0) vs. Hamilton City Hamilton (10-2), 4:30 p.m., Home Depot Center

St. Margaret’s has rarely been tested this season on the way to its first appearance in a state bowl game. The Tartans have shut out eight opponents and won their games by an average of 44 points. Quarterback David Mothander has accounted for 47 touchdowns (32 passing, 15 rushing) and running back John Murayama has averaged 99 yards rushing for the Southern Section East Valley Division champions. Hamilton, the Northern Section Division III champion, is led by quarterback Brad Lohse and running back Omar Diaz, who has rushed for 96 yards per game. St. Margaret’s Coach Harry Welch hopes to extend the Tartans’ Orange County-record 42-game winning streak and become the first coach to guide two different programs to bowl victories; he led Canyon Country Canyon to a 27-13 triumph over Concord De La Salle in 2006 in the Division I game. Earlier this week, Welch seemed more excited about another achievement. “My grandson will be the ball boy,” he said. “How do you live life more fully than that? This is a dream. I hope I never wake up.”

The pick: St. Margaret’s.

-- Ben Bolch