Duffy, O'Brien Combine to Down Tillers in Mud
October 30 at Saddleback College

Eagles 35 - Tillers 21
All season the game that players looked forward to was the match versus Tustin High, a team with tremendous talent and success in the past four years.

The Tillers came into the game with a 3-4 overall record, but were still in the playoff race in the Sea View League.

The weather was not kind during the day and the field was more or less a mud pile, but that didn't slow down the Eagles' potent offense.

As was characteristic all season, the offense jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first lead in the first quarter on two Sean O'Brien passes. Kevin Duffy received the first on an O'Brien pass over the middle and raced 44 yards for the score.

On the next drive Brad Finneran was open in the end zone for a 12-yard score. Chris Tiernan's fumble recovery set up the touchdown.

Tustin came back and scored on a 1-yard run by Chris Collins, but the Eagles responded in huge fashion.

On the kickoff Duffy took a reverse from Derek Yankoff and went 85 yards for the score. The Eagles (7-1, 4-1) were not through with their gutsy play calling as Coach Jim Hartigan went for the onside kick.

Kevin Breen recovered for the Eagles and six plays later O'Brien went in from the one to put SM on top, 28-7, at the half.

The Tillers kept the pressure on scoring on the first play of the second half and later in the fourth quarter to cut the gap to seven. But O'Brien, who completed 22 of 26 passes for 334 yards, found Brian Finneran open and the junior took it in 24 yards for the final score.

"Let's just say it was fun out there tonight," O'Brien said of the game and sloppy field conditions.

Santa Margarita.....14..14..00..07--35
Tustin......................00..07..07..07--21

SM-Duffy 44 pass from O'Brien(Korinke kick)
SM-Brad Finneran 12 pass from O'Brien(Korinke kick)
Tus-Collins 1 run(Mathews kick)
SM-Duffy 85 kickoff return(Korinke kick)
SM-O'Brien 1 run(Korinke kick)
Tus-Barrett 73 run(Mathews kick)
Tus-Reynolds 23 run(Mathews kick)
SM-Brian Finneran 24 pass from O'Brien(Korinke kick)

Leading Rushers-O'Brien 16-17, Tiernan 6-20
Leading Passers-O'Brien 22-26-0, 334, .846%, 3 TD
Leading Receivers-Brian Finneran 11-166, Bd. Finneran 4-42, Duffy 3-115
Defense: Tiernan 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FR; Breen 14 tackles, 1 FR

Orange County Football Top Ten

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