Santa Margarita football smoothly rolls to win over Oaks Christian after turbulent week

SANTA ANA — Even a lack of preparation couldn’t slow Santa Margarita down on Friday night.

The Eagles barely practiced in advance of their nonleague football game against Oaks Christian on Friday night because of the Airport Fire that broke out Monday in the canyons and ridges just east of the school, but they rolled to a 37-17 victory at Santa Ana Stadium anyway.

Santa Margarita couldn’t perform any on-field activities on Monday or Tuesday, came to Santa Ana Stadium on Wednesday morning for an abbreviated practice and then went through a full session on Thursday, which is typically a light practice day.

“It was a pretty wild week,” Santa Margarita coach Anthony Rouzier said. “We didn’t have a single day that was a normal practice schedule for us, so I thought the guys did a really good job.”

The Lions were dealing with their own struggles, as junior running back Deshonne Redeaux missed his third straight game with a toe injury. Redeaux, who has offers from more than two dozen colleges, including Alabama, USC, UCLA and Notre Dame, is expected to return next week against Gardena Serra, Oaks Christian coach Charles Collins said.

Oaks Christian (2-2) started freshman Tre Towns Jr. at quarterback for the second straight week and he went 21 for 36 passing for 136 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Collins liked the poise shown by Towns.

“He played good, played tough and he’s only going to get better,” Collins said. “He’s a baby, but he’s fantastic.”

Santa Margarita (3-1) built a 30-10 first-half lead behind several big plays.

John Gazzaniga didn’t start the game at quarterback for the first time this season, but the 6-foot-7 senior came off the bench to throw three long first-half half touchdowns.

He finished 15 for 23 for 293 yards and three touchdowns.

Gazzaniga entered the game for James Johnson on the second series and on his first play he hit Trent Mosley with a sideline pass and Mosley outran the defense for an 80-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 1:43 left in the first quarter.

Johnson came back in for the third series, but he was intercepted by inside linebacker Christian Knoos, who returned it 41 yards for a touchdown, moving the Lions in front 7-6.

Gazzaniga stayed in the game the rest of the first half.

Ryan Gass booted a 38-yard field goal to move Santa Margarita back in front for good 9-7 with 7:06 left in the first half.

The Lions had to retake a punt following an illegal procedure penalty and Mosley made them pay, returning the second punt 63 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 16-7 with 6:04 left in the half.

Sean Embree Jr. was then left uncovered and he caught a pass along the sideline before finishing off the 72-yard touchdown. The only thing the Eagles seemed to struggle with was their long snapping, but even a bad snap after Embree’s touchdown turned into a two-point reception by Jayden-Jamal Hanne, extending the lead to 24-7.

Santa Margarita would score once more before half when Gazzaniga escaped pressure and found Jack Junker wide open in the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown and a 30-7 lead with 2:21 left in the half.

Noah LaBerge kicked a 27-yard field goal for Oaks Christian to trim the lead to 30-10 with 28 seconds left before halftime.

The Eagles extended the lead to 37-10 on a 5-yard touchdown run by Junker with 7:10 left in the game.

The Lions scored their lone offensive touchdown when Towns broke loose for a 49-yard touchdown run with 4:10 left to make it 37-17.