St. Margaret’s shuts out Century

Century's Jesse Carrasco stretches for every inch he can get against St. Margaret's during a nonleague game Friday at Segerstrom High.
St. Margaret's Oscar Gomez looks for room to run against Century during a nonleague game Friday at Segerstrom High.
St. Margaret's John McGlinn, left, Nick Shanks and Stewart Toubia, right, celebrate after Shanks scored the team's first touchdown.
St. Margaret's Jeremy Davis gets tangled up with Century's Jimmy Gutierrez, top, during a nonleague game Friday at Segerstrom High.
Century's Jesse Carrasco heads up field for yards against St. Margaret's during a nonleague game Friday at Segerstrom High.
St. Margaret's Oscar Gomez Jr. tiptoes around Century defenders during Friday's game.
St. Margaret's quarterback Ryan O'Hare sets to throw a pass during Friday's game against Century.
Century's Jesse Carrasco gains yards against St. Margaret on Friday.
Century quarterback Brian Penaloza, right, gets instruction from Coach Andrew Lapic, left, during action against St. Margaret on Friday.
St. Margaret's Fernando Delgado lies face down as he is treated by trainers after being injured on a play in first half action against Century on Friday.
Members of the Century High marching band play the Star Spangled Banner at the start of Friday's game against St. Margaret's.
Alex Valerio leads the Century High marching band in the Star Spangled Banner at the start of Friday's game against St. Margaret's.
Century cheerleaders position the banner for their team prior to Friday's game against St. Margaret's.
Century cheerleaders stop for a photo as they exit the field prior to the Friday's game against St. Margaret's.
Century's Jesse Carrasco is brought down by several St. Margaret's defenders during Friday's game at Segerstrom High.

By David Delgado | ddelgado@scng.com | Orange County Register

October 3, 2014 at 11:28 p.m.

SANTA ANA – Oscar Gomez rushed for 197 yards and a touchdown as the Tartans used a big fourth quarter to pull away from a defiant Century and stay unbeaten with a shutout win 35-0 Friday night at Segerstrom High.

The Centurions’ ground game was efficient at first, picking up first downs early in the contest but their drives would eventually stall and their counterparts couldn’t muster any offensive rhythm at all.

The first half was marred with turnovers as both teams combined for five giveaways.

The last turnover of the half set up the game’s first touchdown as Nick Shanks picked off Brian Penaloza and returned it to the Centurion 27. Three plays later, Shanks finished what he started by scoring on a 12-yard run to make it 7-0 with 3:50 left in the half.

Gomez doubled the Tartans lead when he ran for a 72-yard touchdown on St. Margaret’s last play of the third quarter.

St. Margaret’s (5-0) entered the final frame on pace to set a new low for points scored in a game this season, but its offense finally got untracked and scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to match the season low of 35 point.

Backup quarterback Preston Ellis entered the game in the final quarter and made an immediate impact, capping two scoring drives with a pair of rushing touchdowns. Ellis’ second score of the game was set up when Cameron Hill recovered a Century fumble at the 20.

With 2:51 left in the second quarter Fernando Delgado of St. Margaret’s went down with an injury and there was a lengthy delay as paramedics came on to the field. Delgado gestured to concerned onlookers with a ‘thumbs up’ as he was carted off the field.

Century (1-4) was shut out for the third time this season. The previous two shutouts came at the hands of Santa Ana and Saddleback, respectively.