Hot St. Margaret's can't be cooled off, storms into finals

BISHOP - After falling behind in the opening quarter, the St. Margaret’s Tartans combated a fired-up opponent and frigid weather conditions with a dominant running attack that helped them move a step closer to another CIF championship.

Senior running back John Murayama rushed for a team-high 157 yards and three touchdowns, while senior quarterback Brennan Smith ran for 110 yards and two scores, as the Tartans scored 47 consecutive points to defeat the Bishop Broncos 47-6 in the CIF East Valley semifinals Saturday night at Bishop High.

“We wanted a balance of run and pass, but the wind wouldn’t let us do that, so we kept it on the ground,” said Murayama. “Our goal next week is to go out and play our best game.”

St. Margaret’s (12-1) will be back on the road next Saturday night to face Ontario Christian High in the CIF East Valley championship game. The Tartans defeated the Knights 42-0 on Oct. 2, and with another victory, can claim its fourth consecutive CIF title.

“I loved the way we played tonight,” said Coach Harry Welch. “The boys played together, focused, and executed well. Mentally, trying to beat a team for the second time in one season will be difficult, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

With a temperature of 31 degrees and a wind-chill factor of 18 degrees at kickoff, the Broncos (7-5) excited the home fans by claiming a 6-0 lead on the game’s first possession, as junior running back Kyle Goins found the end zone on a 44-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was blocked.

St. Margaret’s answered back on its first possession, as Smith found the end zone from a yard out. His extra point was blocked as the game remained tied at 6.

The Tartans then took the lead for good on their next possession, as a 31-yard run by Smith set up a 10-yard scoring run by Murayama to make it 13-6.

St. Margaret’s increased the lead to 21-6 in the second quarter, as Smith connected with senior wide receiver Fernando Almejo on a 36-yard touchdown pass over the middle. Smith’s successful two-point conversion run gave the Tartans a 21-6 lead they would take into the intermission.

The Tartans then put the game away in the third quarter. Smith’s 15-yard touchdown run made it 27-6 less than three minutes into the third period.

After a Broncos punt, Murayama ended a nine-play, 46-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge, making it 34-6.
The Broncos then fumbled on their first play of the ensuing drive, and Murayama’s third score of the game from 3 yards out gave St. Margaret’s a 41-6 lead late in the third.

Sophomore running back Matt Duenes put the final points on the board in the fourth quarter, scoring from two yards out and Almejo intercepted two passes in the in the final minutes to end the game.