Eagles 31 - Vikings 13
BELLFLOWER, CA., September 11, 2021 – The Eagles made a short trip north to Los Angeles County to the field of their league rival, St. John Bosco. There they squared-off versus Nolan Catholic (Ft. Worth, Texas) at the “Trinity League vs. The USA Football Showcase.” The Vikings came into the game ranked in Texas and had a reputation as a respectable program that has enjoyed success. However, this was not their day at all, falling, 31-13 in a game that wasn’t even that close. SMCHS led 31-0 going into the fourth quarter and allowed the Vikings two inconsequential scores.
Quarterback Jaxon Potter threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a score to pace the Eagles to their third win in four tries. He completed 29-of-43 passes (67.4%) and set new season-high marks for passing yards (311), attempts (43), completions (29) and tied for touchdowns (3). Potter connected with fellow junior Niko Lopez, Jalen Jones and Sam Caspino scores. Lopez now has a touchdown reception in all four games this season. Receiver Nick Gallegos finished with six catches for 47 yards. Justin Rivera led the rushing attack with 55 yards.
As good as Santa Margarita’s offense was, the defense was even mightier. It held Nolan to just 35 yards passing, notched 10 tackles-for-loss, forced one fumble and registered five quarterback sacks. The Eagles received sacks from Hero Kanu, LeVar Talley, Noah Sulick, Romen Christensen and Israel Solomon. Blake Wilson handled the kicking duties with perfection, hitting all four PATs and booting a 42-yard field goal in the first half.
It can be said that this was easily the best overall performance by the Eagles this season and the signature win of Coach Anthony Rouzier’s early stint at the helm.
The Eagles are now 4-5 all-time versus out-of-state opponents. They had lost five in succession in that category. Prior to this, SMCHS had never won against an out-of-state opponent in games played in California -- at home or on a neutral field. Overall, their last victory was in 2012 at Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) in the only nationally televised game in school history (ESPN).
| Santa Margarita | 14 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
| Nolan Catholic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
SM – Lopez 23 pass from Potter (Wilson kick)
SM – Potter 3 run (Wilson kick)
SM – Wilson 42 FG
SM – Caspino 24 pass from Potter (Wilson kick)
SM – Jones 48 pass from Potter (Wilson kick)
NC – Lacy 10 run (Gomez kick failed)
NC – Smittick 3 run (Gomez kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: NOL - Lacy 11-89, Williams 12-63; SM - Rivera 16-55, Nash 5-42
Passing: NOL - Matsuda 2-9-0-26; SM - Potter 29-43-1-311
Receiving: NOL - Calvillo 1-16, Lacy 1-10; SM - Jones 4-90, Lopez 7-74, Gallegos 6-47
Summary by Chuck Nan
Statistics by Shane Mielke
Santa Margarita football extends Trinity League’s dominance over Texas, defeats Nolan Catholic
BELLFLOWER – Santa Margarita’s football team continued the Trinity League’s recent dominance against schools from Texas by defeating Nolan Catholic of Fort Worth 31-13 at St. John Bosco on Saturday.
Junior quarterback Jaxon Potter threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a score to pace the No. 5 Eagles (3-1), who led 31-0 going into the fourth quarter in the Trinity League vs. The USA Showcase.
Santa Margarita’s lead was reminiscent of Mater Dei’s season-opening 45-3 victory at Duncanville of Texas. The Monarchs scored all 45 points before the fourth quarter and coasted to victory.
While Nolan Catholic (1-2) isn’t as highly-regarded in Texas as Duncanville, the Eagles (3-1) appeared motivated from the start to represent their state in the California-Texas matchup.
“That’s a big thing,” Santa Margarita coach Anthony Rouzier said. “Anytime we can put on for our team, for our state, it’s big for us. But more importantly for us, we just the love opportunity for competition.
“They were a really good team. They were really well-coached. They played hard up front. They didn’t quit.”
Santa Margarita also helped the Trinity League improve to 5-0 in the second-year showcase. On Friday, St. John Bosco defeated East St. Louis of Illinois 42-26.
The Eagles opened the game with an 11-play, 68-yard scoring drive capped by Potter’s 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Niko Lopez. The junior made six of his seven catches in the first half and finished with 73 yards.
Later in the first, Potter capped a short, 47-yard scoring march with a 3-yard touchdown run.
In the second half, he scrambled to his right and threw a 23-yard touchdown to tight end Sam Caspino as the Eagles extended their lead to 24-0.
Just before the end of the third, Potter tossed a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen Jones, who made a spectacular, one-handed grab in stride and raced to the end zone. Jones collected four receptions for 90 yards.
Potter completed 29 of 44 passes and set a season-high for passing yards.
Wide receiver Nick Gallegos finished with six catches for 47 yards while fellow senior Justin Rivera ran hard for 65 yards on 18 carries.
Santa Margarita’s defense held Nolan to 35 yards passing. The Eagles received sacks from Hero Kanu, LeVar Talley, Romen Christensen and safety Blake Wilson.
Wilson also booted a 42-yard field goal in the first half.
Next week, Santa Margarita plays host to No. 3 Los Alamitos (4-0) at Saddleback College.
By Dan Albano
Friday, September 11, 2021
The Orange County Register
