Skip to content
  • Saddleback Christian's David Molina, left

    Saddleback Christian's David Molina, left

  • St. Margaret's Oscar Gomez

    St. Margaret's Oscar Gomez

of

Expand
Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

FRIDAY’S EAST VALLEY DIVISION SEMIFINAL

Saddleback Valley Christian (12-0) vs. St. Margaret’s (12-0)

Where, when: San Juan Hills High, 7 p.m.

Outlook: Orange County’s two unbeatens take to the gridiron with a spot in next week’s championship game on the line. Both St. Margaret’s and Saddleback Valley Christian survived their closest games of the season last Friday, with each winning by a field goal or less. Senior running back Oscar Gomez carried the load for the Tartans in their second-round victory, rushing a season-high 31 times for 189 yards and three touchdowns. While Gomez has been the primary workhorse for St. Margaret’s, the Warriors have been getting productivity from their one-two backfield punch of Charlie Morris and David Molina. Both backs accumulated more than 100 yards on the ground in a second-round win over Silver Valley of Yermo, and as a team, SVC ran wild, compiling a total of 440 yards. With the two offeneses mirroring one another in style – ground and pound – keep an eye on the battle in the trenches. Whichever offensive line can create more running lanes will ultimately have the upper hand. If either defense tries to bring a safety into the box, the quarterbacks – St. Margaret’s George Krantz and SVC’s Cade Henjum – have proved themselves capable of making plays through the air. Both squads have made easy work of opponents throughout the season. With so much on the line, look for this battle of San Juan Capistrano rivals to be a slugfest.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com