St. Margaret's show it's ready for the postseason
St. Margaret's show it's ready for the postseason
St. Margaret's vs. Sage Hill
NEWPORT COAST - The St. Margaret's Tartans tuned up for what they hope to be another successful playoff run with yet another dominating effort.
Quarterback David Mothander ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more, as the Tartans extended their winning streak to 38 games with a 56-0 victory over Sage Hill in the Academy League finale Friday at Sage Hill. (Full game stats.)
“We just wanted to come in here and put out a quality effort,” Tartans coach Harry Welch said. “We stayed within ourselves, and we're positioned well for the playoffs.”
With their victory, the Tartans are just three victories away from tying the county record for the longest winning streak, set by Mission Viejo, which won 41 consecutive games between 2001-03.
Welch insisted that his team's focus is on continuing to advance in the playoffs.
After punting on their first possession, the Tartans (10-0, 3-0) scored on their second possession. Senior wide receiver Alex Brolic took a short pass and weaved his way through the Lightning (2-8,1-2) defense for a 53-yard touchdown that made it 7-0.
The Tartans forced a quick three and out on the Lightning's next possession, and a short punt gave the Tartans the ball at the Lightning 25-yard line. Two plays later, John Murayama raced down the left side for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.
St. Margaret's added to the lead two minutes later as a Lightning punt went through the back of the end zone to make it 16-0.
Later in the first quarter, running back Matthew Duenes scored from 2 yards out, which gave the Tartans a 23-0 lead after one quarter.
Mothander added touchdown runs of 6 and 25 yards in the second quarter while throwing a 15-yard pass to Brolic with less than two minutes to go in the half.
The Tartans defense shut down Sage Hill's offense in the first half by limiting it to only one first down and 29 total yards. Senior Jeremy Baileys led the Tartans' defensive effort with 3 sacks.
Mothander added a 5-yard TD run in the third quarter while Duenes scored on a 3-yard run to round out the scoring.
• Click here for full game stats and links to season totals and team rosters.
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
