Eagles get most out of best asset: Stanton's legs

ANAHEIM – It was never going to be disputed that Santa Margarita quarterback Johnny Stanton's legs would play a factor in the CIF-SS Pac-5 championship game Saturday night.

Santa Margarita knew the San Clemente defense would focus on him; the Eagles just didn't care.

"We ran our offense," Eagles coach Harry Welch said. "It wasn't like I found a weakness in them; I found a strength in our kids."

That strength was most evident in Stanton, who ran all over San Clemente in the Eagles' 27-13 victory at Angel Stadium.

—————————————————

Santa Margarita soars to Pac-5 championship

OCVarsity Hot Shots: Championship action

OCVarsity Fandemonium from title games

Eagles hope their season isn't over

Lots of highlights for Triton's Tober, but no victory

Final CIF-SS football playoff brackets

—————————————————

"From the sidelines, he was a man," Welch said. "They knew he was going to carry it, and they had to try and stop him.

"He was incredible."

Stanton finished with 148 yards rushing and 92 yards passing.

On a critical drive just before halftime, the Eagles trailed San Clemente, 13-7, and were backed up on their own 11 to start the drive. With just under four minutes remaining, Welch called on his quarterback's legs to get the team a little breathing room.

On first down, Stanton dropped back three steps, looked up field to freeze the safeties, tucked the ball in his right arm and took off.

Santa Margarita picked up 15 yards on the quarterback draw, and that was the necessary breathing room to comfortably execute a 10-play, 89-yard scoring drive that put the Eagles up for good.

"It was the perfect play at that time, but the perfect play is the one that works. They know we run that draw," Welch said.

Stanton said the draw might be the perfect play for his skill set. His arm is plenty good enough, forcing defenders to hold.

Then he takes off.

"I feel like that play really gives our line a chance to get to the linebackers," Stanton said. "The d-line is worried about getting a pass rush while our line is able to get to the linebackers and make the blocks for me.

"That's the only way that play is successful."

Welch disagreed, saying that play has another important ingredient.

"He's also really good," Welch said. "It's just not the design of the play. It's an excellent young man executing well."

Contact the writer: dwoike@ocregister.com