SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – Nick Shanks and St. Margaret’s powerful running game sliced through Capistrano Valley Christian’s defense en route to a 42-0 win in a nonleague game Friday at St. Margaret’s.
Shanks had only seven touches, but he made the most of them. The senior scored three touchdowns, including a 19-yard scamper on the Tartans’ first possession.
His two second-half scores put the game out of reach, though the Eagles didn’t inspire much confidence with their inability to put consistent drives together.
Quarterback George Krantz and his brother, running back Nick, led a methodical attack that was able to execute with precision against the much smaller Eagles. George was steady, going 15-for-20 for 269 yards and three touchdowns, while Nick was explosive, carrying the load on ground with 69 yards on 13 carries.
Each brother was significant in other facets of the Tartans’ offensive attack. George ran a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line for a score, and Nick caught two passes for 60 yards, including a 55-yard catch-and-run that set-up Shanks’ third touchdown.
The Tartans’ defense was just as impressive as their offense, pitching a shutout on their home opener. Every time it looked as if the Eagles were about find a rhythm, a St. Margaret’s defender would come up with a sack or a tackle for a loss.
Junior linebacker Nick Amoukhteh ended Capistrano’s first drive with an interception.
Eagles quarterback Dawson Piper finished 15 of 24 passing for 111 yards. Senior wide receiver Ben Sukut was up for the challenge of trying to pull off the upset; he caught eight balls for 78 yards.
Neither team seemed to be in the mood for using its punter, with both coaches opting to go for it on fourth down a combined five times.
