Offensive line keeps St. Margaret's on track

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO - The leading rusher for St. Margaret's was hurt in the team's final league game, an injury that could have derailed a team's postseason goals.

Not the Tartans, though. Not with their offensive line intact.

The line led the way Friday, clearing space for 308 rushing yards, in St. Margaret's 63-0 victory over Maranatha in the semifinals of the CIF-SS East Valley playoffs at St. Margaret's.

The triumph was the Tartans' 41st in a row, tying the county's all-time mark.

"It's a function of the system, being disciplined and executing," Tartans offensive line coach Mark Davidson said. "With Coach (Harry) Welch, we focus on execution everyday, all day. Everyone is doing their jobs."

The line consists of center Mack Santora, left tackle Chase Smith, left guard Connor McClure, right tackle Colfax Selby and right guard Jeff Askin.Santora, Smith and Selby are seniors.

"We are a unit," Santora said. "We try to work as one. We have good chemistry and we work hard for each other. We just want to be as physical as we can be and leave it on the field."

Freshman running back Matthew Duenes benefitted from the line's dominance Friday night. He led the team with 192 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He had four runs of 29 yards or longer in the first half.

"They did a great job opening up the holes. I just had to run through it," Duenes said. "The offensive line is just amazing."

It wasn't uncommon for Duenes to be accompanied by an offensive lineman as he ran down field. Early in the first quarter Duenes broke free from midfield for 29 yards. As Duenes was being pushed out of bounds, Askin was next to him, blocking an opponent.

"We play to the end of the whistle," Askin said. "We block, then get down field. We are taught to scan the field. If you see another colored jersey, go hit it."

Duenes calls that kind of effort from his linemen "securing."

"It's a really good feeling running around them," he said.

The offensive line and Davidson won't take all of the credit for the team's success. Askin pointed out how well the defense played, and Davidson said the blocking extends beyond the offensive line.

On another 29-yard run by Duenes, it was receiver Davis Edwards who sprung Duenes with a down-field block.

"You need good blocking from the whole team," Davidson said. "That's the system. We are doing a good job in it."

Welch was pleased with the offensive line's performance Friday. He is known to put a lot of responsibility on their plate, but with their success, who could blame him.

"Coach Welch told us the game is on our shoulders," Askin said. "It's a big honor for us for coach to put the game in our hands."

Contact the writer: ctobolski@ocregister.com