Santa Margarita hands Inglewood its first loss in | College News

Santa Margarita huge receiver Jack Junker entered the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs with two catches in the ultimate two Trinity League video games.

It solely made sense that on Friday evening at Trabuco Hills High, the speedy sophomore turned on the burners and hauled in two landing passes — for 40 and 72 yards — in the first quarter to put the Eagles forward by 9 factors.

“Keep the foot on them,” Santa Margarita interim head coach Steve Fifita roared at his workforce on the sidelines — making an attempt to rally his squad that completed 1-4 during an injury-riddled Trinity League marketing campaign.

The Eagles didn’t let up. Quarterback John Gazzaniga linked with Junker for a third landing. Trent Mosley, the 2023 Trinity League most useful participant solely two video games back from an ankle harm, collected two touchdowns himself. And that was simply the first half. Santa Margarita (5-6) soared to a 27-point second-quarter lead and 59-26 first-round playoff victory over undefeated Inglewood, dominating the Sentinels from finish to finish.

“It’s good to have everybody back,” Mosley mentioned. “I just feel like we’ve just been connecting more. We’ve had more time at practice to get together and work on timing and everything. I feel like it all got put together.”

The Eagles outgained their Bay League opposition 419-158 yards and picked up 4 sacks. Gazzaniga ended the competition with a season-high 330 passing yards, whereas Junker completed with a season-high 172 receiving yards and Mosley tallied 105 all-purpose yards.

Despite the hefty lead, Fifita continued to energise his protection to keep the Sentinels (10-1) at bay.

“Apply pressure,” he yelled. That strain will attain a high subsequent Friday when Santa Margarita travels to St. John Bosco (9-1, 4-1) for a quarterfinal sport.

“We’re looking to put up a lot more points than we had last time, that’s for sure,” Junker mentioned, referring to Santa Margarita’s 13-0 loss on Oct. 11.

Gazzaniga ran for a seven-yard rating with 7:46 remaining in the third quarter, whereas freshman working back Duce Smith added a two-yard landing moments later to spice up the Eagles’ result in 52-13. Santa Margarita, with its backups in the sport, scored as soon as more in the fourth quarter — ending the evening with 59 factors, the Eagles’ most as a program since September 2022.

Fifita, who Junker described as a “role model” postgame, mentioned he was happy together with his workforce’s offensive effort, main the best way to the following spherical of the playoffs.

“They didn’t panic,” Fifita mentioned. “The big thing I saw, what the offense did — that we struggled with defensively — is they made the plays and took advantage of their opportunities.”

Like Junker, Mosley added he’s wanting ahead to going through the Braves subsequent week. The junior wideout, who has obtained provides from USC, Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia and UCLA, didn’t play in the regular-season duel as a result of of an harm.

“I’m really glad we get to replay Bosco,” he mentioned. “They’re a great team. I feel like we just got to work hard. Keep doing what we’re doing [and] keep our offensive flow.”