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Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

St. Margaret’s football coach Rod Baltau, who last season guided the Tartans to a runner-up finish in the CIF East Valley Division, has been on medical leave since Sept. 2, athletic director Susie Maga said Thursday.

The fifth-year coach said Thursday that he is dealing with back and spine issues and isn’t sure if he will recover enough to coach the Tartans this season.

“I don’t know,” he said in a text. “Still doing doctor appointments and tests.”

Maga said there is no specific date for Baltau’s return but added that the program is praying for him and waiting to hear an update.

The Tartans (2-0), ranked No. 1 in East Valley Division, have won both their games without Baltau and play host to Whittier Christian (0-3) on Friday. Steve Barbee is serving as the interim head coach, Maga said.

Baltau replaced Harry Welch as the Tartans’ coach in 2010 after Welch took the reins at Santa Margarita. He was a quarterback for Welch at Canyon of Canyon Country and served as an assistant under Welch at St. Margaret’s.

Baltau’s record at St. Margaret’s entering the season was 40-11 with four Academy League titles. He also guided the Tartans to at least the second round of the playoffs in all four of his seasons. Last season, St. Margaret’s fell to Jurupa Hills of Fontana, 41-24, in the East Valley final.

Jurupa Hills jumped to the San Andreas League and now resides in the Inland Division (Division VI).

Please send football recruiting news to Dan Albano at dalbano@ocregister.com