(MISSION VIEJO, Sept. 11, 1998) – The Eagles opened their tenth varsity season by extended their winning streak to 26 games with a 13-8 victory over the Division II Dominguez (Compton) Dons before 4,200 at Saddleback College. The game was expected to a high-scoring affair between two teams ranked in the State Top 20; however it was the defenses that dominated the show. After Garrett Thompson returned the opening kickoff 39 yards the Eagles went on an eight-play 57-yard drive capped by Greg Orlando’s one yard run. The Dons responded with a drive on their second possession going 63 yards on six plays and scoring on Johnny Bentley’s one-yard run. The snap on the PAT was bad and the holder, QB Everett Smith, rolled out and found Ryan Thompson for a two-Point conversion and an 8-7 lead. In the second quarter, Orlando directed the Eagles on a seven-play 45-yard drive capped by a 4-yard scoring pass from Orlando to Mike O’Gorman with 3:16 left in the half. From there the defenses dominated. Spencer McCroskey’s interception halted a late second quarter drive by the Dons, and the Eagles limited the Dons to 89 yards and five first downs the rest of the way. Colin Rooke, making his first start, recorded a career-high 13 tackles including 1 ½ sacks, while first time starters Matt Szkalak and John Bennett collected 11 tackles each.

• Dominguez Game Notes
• Dominguez Quick Facts