St. Margaret's puts up big number to capture state title

CARSON - Maybe there was a bit of gamesmanship in Harry Welch earlier in the week when he said he would take a two-point victory against Hamilton Union.

Or maybe Welch really was being conservative out of respect for the Northern Section champion

Either way, the Tartans still exceeded their coach's expectations Friday night in the inaugural CIF State small schools bowl game.

In a victory that was anything but small, the Tartans won, 59-7, at the Home Depot Center to complete their third consecutive undefeated season and extend their Orange County-record winning streak to 43 games.

“This surpassed anything I possibly could have dreamt of,” Welch said. “Tonight, we executed. … That's a very good football team. They're not very big but they're quite good. I'm very proud of them (my team).”

Hamilton Union (10-3) captured the CIF-Northern Section's Division III title on Nov. 26, but the school from a small farming community was no match for the Tartans (15-0).

St. Margaret's set several state bowl game records, including most points scored. Orange Lutheran held the previous record from its 42-28 victory against Palo Alto in 2006.

The Tartans set the record with 3:06 left in the first half, which ended with St. Margaret's leading, 52-0.

St. Margaret's defense forced five turnovers in the first half, leading to 28 points.

“We were excited about the score,” said St. Margaret's running back John Murayama, who rushed for a bowl-record four touchdowns. “We were a little bit surprised, but we just know that's what happens when we play our game.”

Murayama, a junior, rushed for 97 yards on 21 carries.

The Tartans' passing game might have stood out even more.

After featuring a strong ground attack the past two weeks, St. Margaret's opened up its offense early by featuring quarterback David Mothander.

The senior completed 12 of 19 passes for 231 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Travis Anderson early in the second quarter.

St. Margaret's finished with 406 yards of total offense.

“We did open up the offense with the passing attack,” said Welch, whose team didn't throw a pass in the second half. “I thought Travis Anderson had a terrific game and that really loosened things up. … But the command of the game by David Mothander was magnificent.”

The Tartans finished the season with a county record 742 points, but their defense was equally impressive. St. Margaret's nearly posted its ninth shutout, which would have tied Villa Park's 1981 county record.

In the first quarter, a fumble recovery by Davis Edwards at the Braves' 29-yard line led to a score. Late in the opening period, an interception and return by cornerback Alex Brolick to Hamilton's 1 led to another touchdown.

Then, early in the second quarter, lineman Alfredo Valencia intercepted an overthrown screen pass at the Braves 43. Three plays later, Mothander connected with Anderson. Before the half was over, linebacker Adam Miyawaki had recovered a fumble at the Braves 31 that helped set up another score.

“Our defense did a great job by forcing five turnovers in the first half,” Mothander said. “That put us in great position to score and we capitalized.”

As Welch saw it, opportunity met preparation Friday night.

“The kids were ready to play and they played well,” Welch said. “Once we got into the game, it appeared our play after play intensity was superior.”

The former Canyon of Canyon Country coach, Welch became the first coach to guide two different schools to state bowl victories. He won the Division I bowl with the Cowboys in 2006.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com