St. Margaret’s has dominated the Southern Section’s northeast division for several years with a 77-8 record since 2006 and a run that included undefeated seasons and a state title. The high-flying Tartans brought their show to Guyer Field last Friday night. Even so, Laguna’s defense created opportunities for the home team to come away with an upset victory over the visitors, who are now 3-1 on the season.
The contest opened with the Breakers (3-0-1) unable to consistently move on the ground against the San Juan school and settling for a 47-yard field goal by Robert McInerny after a 45-yard, eight-play drive stalled on the Tartan 30-yard line. St. Margaret’s returned the favor with their own 10-play drive to tie the score with just over two minutes remaining in the initial period.
Laguna scored on the ensuing possession after great field position was obtained on the kickoff with a runback by McInerny. Seconds later a Larry Stewart to Robert Clemons bomb made it 10-3 on a one-play, 56-yard drive. McInerny kicked his first of four successful PAT’s.
Breaker’s defense stopped the Tartans on their second possession, resulting in another spectacular Clemons punt return that pushed the lead to 17-3 with less than a minute gone in period two.
St. Margaret’s posed a real threat on their third possession, driving 77 yards in 14 plays before Adam Lythgoe’s
tackle stopped the Tartans on a fourth down and one yard to-go try. Breakers were held and St. Margaret’s finally hit pay dirt on their fourth possession of the game with a quick aerial drive completed with a short run for the score. The PAT made it 17-10 Laguna at the half.
In the second half, Breakers held the Tartans on the opening possession of the third quarter and sealed the win when the Tartan punter shanked the punt giving Laguna possession on the defender’s 27-yard line. After a couple of runs, Stewart went to the air and once again hit Clemons for the score. McInerny’s kick made it 24-10 Laguna.
The Tartans passing game got hot again and was the key in St. Margaret’s next possession, marching 67-yards in eight plays to cut the margin to seven with just under four minutes remaining in the quarter. The inspired visitors held the hosts to a quick three and out series and appeared to be on a real drive when shortly into the fourth quarter Adam Farsheed intercepted a pass to stop the drive.
After an exchange of punts, Laguna appeared on the verge to ice the game but fumbled on the Tartan five-yard line. St Margaret’s final two tries ended in interceptions, the first one setting up the last Laguna score.
This week Laguna closes out their non-league play hosting Pioneer High School from Whittier this Friday, Sept. 28 at Guyer Field. The Titans and Breakers have one common opponent – Glenn, which lost to the Titans 35-28. Pioneer has narrowly lost three games: 20-14 to Rancho Alamitos, 14-7 to Mountain View/El Monte, and 20-14 to Montebello.
SSCIF Southern Division Poll for September 24: 1 – Segerstrom, 2 – Laguna beach, 3 – Irvine, 4 – Corona del Mar, 5 – University, Woodbridge, 7 – Garden Grove, 8 – Santa Ana Valley, 9 – Katella, 10 – Estancia, Beckman
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
||
|
St Margaret’s |
3 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
17 |
|
Laguna Beach |
10 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
31 |
L – McInerny 47 FG 7:45 1st Q
SM – FG 30 2:20 1st Q
L – Clemons 56 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 2:06 1st Q
L – Clemons 79 punt return (McInerny kick) 11:14 2nd Q
SM – 9 run (kick) 1:37 2nd Q
L – Clemons 14 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 8:12 3rd Q
SM – 2 run (kick) 3:50 3rd Q
LB – Martinez 11 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 1:08 4th Qtr
|
LB |
St Mar |
|
|
1st Downs |
8 |
21 |
|
Rush/Yds |
30-98 |
26-68 |
|
Pass Yds |
103 |
269 |
|
C-A-I |
4-5-0 |
25-41-3 |
|
Plays/TYG |
35-201 |
67-337 |
|
Fumbles/Lost |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Return Yds |
120 |
0 |
|
Punts/Ave |
3-26.3 |
2-16.5 |
|
Penalties/Yds |
3-20 |
2-5 |
Individual Stats
Rushing: Martinez 17-55, Mcinerny 5-15, Clemons 2-15, Lancaster 3-14, Stewart 2-(2), Team 1-0
Receiving: Clemnos 2-70, Hunter 1-22, Martinez 1-11
Passing: Stewart 5-4-0 103 yds 3 TDs 451.0 rating
Interceptions: Farsheed 1-11, Mcinerny 1-41, Lancaster 1-0
Punt Returns: Clemons 1-79
KO Returns Mc Inerny 2-37 yds
Kickoffs: McInerny 6, 4 Touchbacks
Punting: Stewart 3-109 36.3 average
RECORDS
Season:
Team set season record for return touchdowns with 10, season total with punts return for TDs with 5
Career:
Robert Clemons became the all-time scorer in career return TDs with 6
Game:
47 FG by Robbie McInerny – 6th longest in Laguna history
79 Punt return by Robert Clemons – 8th longest in Laguna history
Career Scoring:
Drake Martinez is 2nd (23 points short of a new record), Robert Clemons is 5th, Robbie Mcinerny is 14th
Career Touchdowns:
Drake Martinez is # 2 (needs 2 to tie Chris Paul), Robert Clemons is 5th
Season Scoring:
Robbie Mcinerny is tied for 7th in season extra points, 11th in total kick scoring, Robert Clemons and Drake Martinez each have 3 return TDs – tied for 2nd. Drake Martinez has 11 season touchdowns – tied for 12th
