St. Margaret's vs. Brentwood: Who has the edge?

Quarterbacks

St. Margaret's Cameron Hiller and Brentwood's Mason Moss are not much different, statistically speaking. Both have more than 2,300 yards throwing and passing, with Hiller holding a slight edge in touchdowns, 27-26. The biggest difference is in their efficiency. Hiller has thrown half as many interceptions (3) and completed 61.5 percent of his passes to Moss' 51.3.

Slight edge: St. Margaret's

Running backs

St. Margaret's coach Harry Welch said with one more season he could have made Hunter Steffien a Division I prospect. Maybe he already has. Steffien leads the county with 27 rushing touchdowns, while his 2,087 rushing yards is second best. Hiller and John Murayama also have topped 500 yards, giving the Tartans more than 3,000 yards on the ground this season. Brentwood's running game is led by Moss, who has 715 rushing yards and six touchdowns. The Eagles can offer several different looks, as three other rushers have at least 275 yards.

Edge: St. Margaret's

Receivers

Brentwood might have the best in the group in Ben Oliva, who has 42 catches, 764 yards and 11 touchdowns. Charlie James and Josh Amster have combined for 45 cathces, more than 700 yards and 10 touchdowns. St. Margaret's gets a big contribution from Dan Morrison and Dorian Farhang, each with more than 30 catches. Steffien is also a threat in the passing game.

Edge: Brentwood

Defense

The Tartans boast the second best scoring defense in the county, allowing an average of about eight points a game. Yet, Brentwood has been even harder to score on. It has allowed just 91 points while shutting out six opponents. Each team has given up just seven points in the playoffs.

Edge: Even

Intangibles

St. Margaret's has been beating teams like it doesn't belong in this division, outscoring its opponents by an average of 41 points. Coach Welch, coming off a Division I state title with Canyon of Canyon Country, has taken this program to new heights. And this is a St. Margaret's team that had just won this division a year ago. Its 27-game win streak is by far the best in the county. Brentwood can lay claim to having a better victory against a common opponent, Whittier Christian. And because it is a heavy underdog, the opportunity to come out early and surprise the Tartans might be there.

Big edge: St. Margaret's

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com