Story by L.T. Willis
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| Coach Harry Welch led Santa Margarita to it's first CIF State Division I Title. Photos by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports. |
Coach Harry Welch and his coaching staff came to Carson to do one thing and that's win the CIF Division I State Championship game against San Jose Bellarmine (12-1) at The Home Depot Center. In football i always said when it comes down to winning games you need talent. When it comes down to winning championships it takes great coaching. The game didn't start of well for Harry Welch and Santa Margarita (12-2) as on the their first series of plays the Eagles' Alex Suchesk fumble and Bellarmine recovered. Moments later Bellarmine's Conner Jauch scored on a 14 yard touchdown run to set the tone for the game.
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| The Bells'# 4 Conner Jauch 14 yard touchdown run gave them the lead 7-0. |
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| Santa Margarita's # 8 River Cracraft 31 yard touchdown catch ties the game 7-7. |
Santa Margarita answer back when Johnny Stanton connected with River Cracraft on a 31 yard slant pass to tied the game 7-7 with 6:56 left in the first quarter. Bellarmine's defense was showing that they had great speed and was putting pressure on Johnny Stanton. With a few minutes left still in the first quarter Johnny Stanton found flanker Sean Modster open for a 27 yard touchdown pass to take the lead 14-7. The fans from Santa Margarita was going crazy cheering their team on.
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| The Eagles' Johnny Stanton throws a 27 yard touch down pass to Sean Modster to take a 14-7 lead. |
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Bellarmine's QB Travis McHugh breaks free for a 47 yard touchdown run to tie the game 14-14. |
Bellarmine was matching blow for blow with Santa Margarita and wasn't about to let up even though they were outsize, their team speed made up for it. Watching Johnny Stanton early in the game you would have to understand that he is only a junior quarterback who has led his team to a Division I State Championship Game and all the marbles riding on him to deliver as he has all season. The Eagles offense capped of a drive with a 8 yard touchdown pass from Stanton to River Cracraft to regain the lead 21-14. Bellarmine offense responded with a drive of their when quarterback Travis McHugh connected with Conner Jauch on a 40 yard touchdown pass and now the game was tied at halftime 21-21.
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| Santa Margarita's defense had their hand full with running back # 34 Justin Taliaferro from Bellarmine. |
In the third quarter Bellarmine re took the lead when Travis McHugh kicked a 24 yard field goal to make the score 24-21 and at this point both defenses were trying their best to bend but don't break. Going into the fourth quarter still leading Bellarmine gave to ball to their prize runner Justin Taliaferro who was a beast to bring down with speed and power march down the field on a impressive drive to set up a first and goal inside of Santa Margarita's 10 yard line. Moments later from 4 yards out Bellarmine's Justin Taliaferro powered his way into the end zone and increase their lead to 30-21. The Eagles moments later answer the call when Johnny Stanton connected with Connor O'Brien on a 32 yard touchdown pass and now trail 30-28.
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| Santa Margarita defense was unable to keep Bellarmine's Justin Taliaferro from scoring 4 yards out and now the Eagles trailed 30-21. |
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| Santa Margarita offensive line gives Johnny Stanton time to throw a 32 yard touchdown pass to Connor O'Brien to trail 30-28 in the fourth quarter. |
The Eagles all year long found a way to get back into the games by believing in each other and a legendary coach Harry Welch trusting and believing in his team as he has watch them grow together all season long and this game was no different. When Johnny was struggling early in the game senior left tackle Max Turek pull Johnny and other team mates to the side and told Johnny we work to hard and come to far for use to lose this game and we need you to keep your head in this game. The turning point in the game was when the Eagles put pressure on Bellarmine's quarterback Travis McHugh and was pick off by the Eagles Matt Andersen to set them in great field position with 6:55 left into the fourth quarter.
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| Bellarmine's# 34 Justin Taliaferro scores again on a 1 yard touchdown run and now the Eagles now trail 37-36. |
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| Two Bellarmine defenders being drag by Eagles' Johnny Stanton. |
Once again the defense came thru for the Eagles and coach Welch turn the game over to his offensive line and Johnny and as always they deliver when Stanton scored on a 1 yard touchdown run and now Santa Margarita lead 36-30 with 6:52 left in the game after the two point conversion by Stanton. Well Bellarmine didn't make it to the State Division I Championship by luck they are a very well coach team by Mike Janda and it was no secret who was going to get the ball for Bellarmine. With 1:46 left in the game coach Welch decided to let them score so they would have time for one more last drive of their own . Justin Taliaferro scored from one yard out and now the Eagles trailed 37-36.
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| Santa Margarita's Harry Welch decides to put the game in Johnny Stanton's hand facing a 4th and goal from the one yard line. |
The Eagles' all season found a way to win games when it seem that their backs was against the wall. That wall became a reality when the Eagles drove down to Bellarmine's one yard line facing a fourth down and goal with 16 seconds left in the game coach Welch called a time out. Everyone in the Stadium knew that they were going to kick a field goal to win the game including me when Johnny Stanton and the offense march back on the field. Not only was i watching history in the making, i was a witness to the most gutsy call by a coach i have seen in twenty plus years being in the media. Harry Welch was going for it all or nothing at all. With 16 seconds left in the game Johnny Stanton scored from one yard out and the Santa Margarita crowd went crazy as players and coaches were jumping for joy. The Eagles went for the two point conversion but Johnny's knee hit the ground before he cross the end zone.
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| Santa Margarita's Johnny Stanton scores the game winning touchdown on a 4th and goal from one yard out with 16 seconds left in the game. |
This Journey for Santa Margarita started months ago and they deserved to be in this game along with San Jose Bellarmine. Bellarmine defense kept Ryan Wolpin and the running game for the Eagles in check most of the night and coach Welch and his coaching staff watch their young football team became CIF Division I State Champions. Johnny Stanton gave all the credit to his offensive linemen Max Tuerk/LT, Cole Luther/LG, Dane Crane/C, Erik Bunte/RG and Riley Sorenson/RT for giving him time to make plays for the team to win it's first State title. Johnny Stanton finish the night 14 of 25 for 306 yards and two touchdowns on the night. All photos and video footage are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images. You can also check out the video on www.youtube.com/TGSportsTV also.
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