Loss hurts, but St. Margaret’s still smiling

St. Margaret's interim coach Stephen Barbee said after Friday's game that he would like to keep the job.
St. Margaret's head coach Stephen Barbee walks off the field after Central Catholic scored its last touchdown to take a 31-6 lead during the second half of the CIF State Division IV championship game Friday at StubHub Center.
Thanks to a pair of late touchdowns that made the game seem closer than it was, the mood of the St. Margaret's players and coaches wasn't too low as they celebrated their runner-up finish. St. Margaret's head coach Stephen Barbee raises the runner-up trophy.
Thanks to a pair of late touchdowns that made the game seem closer than it was, St. Margaret's players were left celebrating.

By Kenny Connolly | kconnolly@scng.com | Orange County Register

December 19, 2014 at 11:03 p.m.

CARSON – The mood was surprisingly upbeat.

No heads hanging. No one in need of consoling.

In fact, the St. Margaret’s sideline at StubHub Center looked like a USC football tailgate as their players and fans waved two fingers in the air.

“We had too good of a season to let this get us down,” offensive tackle Stewart Toubia yelled out to his teammates as the Tartans watched Central Catholic of Modesto collect its third consecutive CIF State Division IV championship Friday night after a 31-19 triumph.

The junior lineman had a point.

There was plenty for St. Margaret’s players and coaches to be proud of Friday – 15 wins, a CIF-SS division title, a second-place finish in state and being the lone Orange County representative in the state playoffs.

Looking ahead, there’s no reason to think the Tartans can’t make a habit out of these 16-game seasons.

Twelve starters presumably will return in 2015 – six on offense and six on defense. Featured among that core will be promising sophomore quarterback George Krantz.

“This was such a great experience for me,” said Krantz, who passed for 260 yards and two touchdowns on Friday. “Playing on this kind of stage, against an opponent like (Central Catholic), it’s going to help me tremendously.”

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Three of the possible returning starters are on the offensive line – Toubia, Nick Amoukhteh and John McGlinn IV – as well as receivers, Nick Shanks and Auston Locke.

“We had a great season,” Shanks added. “We didn’t execute to a tee tonight, but we still came out and had a lot of fun.”

The biggest question mark at the moment: Who will coach St. Margaret’s in 2015?

Interim coach Stephen Barbee – who took over in Week 1 for Rod Baltau – would seemingly be the overwhelming favorite to do so after the Tartans’ spectacular run this season.

“I’m applying (for the job),” said Barbee, clutching the state runner-up trophy in his right hand. “I feel I’m ready to be a head coach. I feel I’m a very good head coach. It’s just a matter of going through the process.”

Shanks, like many of his teammates, answered all questions about the future as if the decision had already been made.

“(Barbee) and all the rest of the coaches prepared us all year long,” Shanks remarked. “Next year, under his control, I think we’re going to do fine.”

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com