Costly Turnovers Do in Santa Margarita
November 5, 1992 at Newport Harbor High School

Sailors 27 - Eagles 16
Things went sour for the Eagle (7-2, 4-2) offense as five turnovers either killed drives or set up scores Newport Harbor (7-2, 4-2) in a Sea View League game to determine the second place place team for the playoffs.

On a night that the defense played well, the offense could not finish what it started. Three drives went inside the twenty in the first half, but turnovers ended the possible scores.

Another drive resulted in a Sailor score as Sean O'Brien was blind-sided and his fumble was scooped up and returned 56 yards to give Newport a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

Another turnover led to a 1-yard score by Wade Tift to give the Sailors a 21-10 halftime lead.

Things did not get any better in the second half. Newport could only add two field goals, while the offense put together a scoring drive as time ran out.

O'Brien threw 46 times for a school record, and the offense had over 400 yards in total offense. Brian Finneran had 10 catches for 138 yards, including a 19-yard reception in the first quarter.

The loss put the Eagles in a two-way tie for second place with Newport.

Santa Margarita.................07..03..00..06--16
Newport Harbor.................07..14..03..03--27

NH-Tift 29 run(Stuckey kick)
SM-Brian Finneran 19 pass from O'Brien(Korinke kick)
NH-Lumpkin 56 fumble recovery(Stuckey kick)
NH-Tift 1 run(Stuckey kick)
SM-Korinke 26 FG
NH-Stuckey 25 FG
NH-Stuckey 22 FG
SM-Brad Finneran 25 pass from O'Brien(kick failed)

Leading Rushers-Tiernan 8-58, Duffy 4-40, O'Brien 12-50
Leading Passers-O'Brien 20-46-3, 244, .434%, 2 TD
Leading Receivers-Brian Finneran 10-145, Bd. Finneran 5-72, Duffy 4-22
Defense: Breen 13 tackles; Bri. Finneran 8 tackles

Orange County Football Top Ten

1. Los Alamitos.......................9-0
2. Rancho Alamitos....................8-1
3. Esperanza..........................8-1
4. Irvine.............................8-1
5. Trabuco Hills......................8-1
6. Servite............................7-1-1
7. Mater Dei..........................7-1-1
8. El Dorado..........................8-1
9. Sunny Hills........................7-1-1
10. Santa Margarita...................7-2