Thursday Night Game of The Week Santa Margarita and Mater Dei

Story by L.T.Willis

Santa Margarita and Mater Dei Trinity League Opener.
All Photos by Eric Wade.



Our Thursday Night Game of the Week between Santa Margarita and Mater Dei  turn out to be just what we expected the game of the week at Santa Ana Stadium. The weather was so nice for a football game i had flash back of being in Hawaii wearing a short sleeve shirt in October to a football game. Mater Dei was pinned inside their 20 yard line to start the game and several plays later Mater Dei's Ryan McMahon ran in from 3 yard out  and the Monarchs lead 7-0 in the first quarter. Santa Margarita had a bye week and it showed early in the game as their offense just couldn't get any type of rhythm going.



Mater Dei's #17  Josh Cook scores on a 9 yard touchdown pass.





Mater Dei's #23 Lavon Wright used speed and power running the
football against Santa Margarita.





 The Monarch struck again as  Ryan McMahon connect with Josh cook on a 9 yard touchdown pass to take a 13-0 lead  and the Santa Margarita fans seem to be in shock.

The Eagles had several chances in the second quarter to score points but turnovers cause them to give the ball back to the Monarchs' offense. You could tell that the Eagles were in a funk as Johnny Stanton and Ryan Wolpin just couldn't get free for big plays as they have done all season long. However when your offense isn't clicking for you you have to turn to your defense to make plays for you to help you get back in the game.



Santa Margarita's #7 Conner O'Brien intercepted a pass and ran
it back for a 47 yard touchdown.





Santa Margarita's Chris Frost comes up with a fumble recovery.



 In the second half the Eagles got on the board as their defense step up big as Conner O'Brien intercepted the ball and took it to the house from 47 yards out and now the Eagles  were fired up as now they only trailed 13-7. The defense was still in high gear after the interception by O'Brien on the very next series for Mater Dei they fumble the ball and Santa Margarita's Chris Frost recovered it giving the Eagles new life. Moments later the Eagles were on the moved and drove down to the Monarchs' 2 yard line and Ryan Wolpin leap over into the end zone and the extra point was good and now the Eagles lead 14-13.

The Eagles' #3 Carlos Spinosi intercepted a touchdown pass in the
end zone against the Monarchs.

Mater Dei's #25 J.C.Genova made some big plays against Santa
Margarita.

In the fourth quarter Mater Dei drove from their on 30 yard line all the the way to Santa Margarita's 11 yard line the Eagles put pressure on Ryan McMahon as he scramble his pass was intercepted in the end zone by the Eagles' Carlos Spinosi to save a sure touchdown. The Monarchs' defense step up big as it force the Eagles to go 3 and out on the their next series. What would be the game winning drive for the Monarch Ryan McMahon connected with Jameson Fields for a 28 yard gain and a big first down. Moments later J.C. Genova scored from 4 yard out with 4:13 in the fourth quarter and the 2 point conversion  was good and Mater Dei defeated Santa Margarita 21-14. Both teams defense made plays after play to give both teams a chance to win the game. All photos and video highlights and post game interviews are by T.G. Sports' Eric Wade and EW/Gems Images.