EAGLES 24, LONG BEACH JORDAN 6 (MISSION VIEJO, Sept. 26, 2003)

Quarterback Michael Angelo rushed for 98 yards and scored two touchdowns while Chris Ramsey added 52 and another touchdown as the Eagles scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Long Beach Jordan Panthers 24-6 before 4,500 at Saddleback College. After forcing a punt on the Panthers first series Angelo needed just two plays to hit paydirt as he raced through the defense untouched for a spectacular 64-yard scoring run at the 7:45 mark of the first quarter. Jordan went on a 62-yard drive on their next possession but Thomas Ramirez forced a fumble and it was recovered by Matt Rupp at the Eagle 21. After an Eagle Punt the Panthers went on an 11-play 67-yard drive to close the gap to 7-6 on a 20-yard pass from QB Alex Aispuro to Deamas Fleming with 7:46 left in the first half. The drive was aided by a roughing the passer penalty and a potential interception dropped in the endzone. The PAT however was blocked by Russell Hoeflich. The Eagles then went on a 10-play drive near the end of the half but an interception set up the Panthers deep in Eagle territory. Rupp’s sack on fourth-and-eight with 0:28 seconds left killed the Jordan momentum.

The second half was all Santa Margarita as they ran the ball on every offensive play and controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage. Jordan managed only one first down and three plays over five yards as the Eagles running attack of Angelo, Ramsey and Omar Villamar (11-43) kept the ball out of the visitor’s hands. Ramsey scored from seven yards out with 6:20 left in the third quarter after a short punt and personal foul gave the Eagles a first down at the Jordan 24. On the Eagles next possession they marched 47 yards on eight consecutive running plays before the drive lost steam at the Jordan five. Mike Fowle’s 22-yard field goal made it 17-6 with 10:38 left in the game. Jeff Jones’ fumble recovery one play later led to a quick five play scoring drive as Angelo plunged in from the one with 8:01 left to close out the scoring. Defensively, Jack Meehan and Thomas Ramirez each collected 12 tackles to lead a stellar defensive effort, but unfortunately the Eagle’s streak of 13 consecutive games without allowing a touchdown pass ended.