Santa Margarita Catholic High School hosted the 7th Annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard on Thursday, January 12, 2012 in Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca. The No. 10 nationally ranked Eagles Varsity Football team was honored Thursday for its Top national ranking and its state championship. The football team was presented with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy or the Minuteman, a symbol of commitment to a cause, excellence, and perseverance, by California Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Delgado.
As I arrived onto the immaculate campus there in South Orange County, I was blown away by its incredible layout and landscaping. And sure enough, on the marquee were the words, "Santa Margarita Catholic High School welcomes MaxPreps and the Army National Guard." Excellent touch by this first rate school!
Activities Director, Sammer Darwazeh, put together a stellar program for the afternoon ceremony in the basketball gym. Over 1,600 students poured into the gym, packing it out and making for a very exciting moment in the history of an already tradition-rich school. The SMHS backdrop to the stage was beautiful, stretching from one side of the basketball court to the other. The band provided entertainment at the bookends of the program, while the pep squad, cheerleaders, and the student-section leaders rallied the crowd behind a chant developed late in the season during end of game heroics, "We, we, we believe, we believe, we believe, we believe, we believe. " This electrifying chant saw the team through many a games and Coach Harry Welch was grateful for the moral
After welcoming the students to the day's main event, Sammer Darwazeh turned the microphone over to Principal Dunn for the opening prayer. Following the opening prayer, the poised and captivating Mike Wilkes delivered the national ranking statistics and accomplishments to the crowd and introduced Staff Sergeant Delgado to present the well deserved, coveted and prestigious Army National Guard national ranking trophy and all its national recognition that the hardware exudes. Then, SSG Delgado congratulated Coach Welch and presented the Nationally Ranked Championship Banner to him and the team. The banner will one day in the immediate future hang in the gym rafters and serve as memory to an amazing football team. Junior QB, Johnny Stanton and Junior Ryan Wolpin delivered acceptance speeches and remarks of thanksgiving to the Army National Guard, MaxPreps, and fellow teammates and classmates. Following the presentation, city officials from Rancho Santa Margarita gave congratulatory remarks as well.
Receiving this prestigious honor brought great pride to the school and its student-body, as was evident by the overall receptiveness and response. The TOC celebration was excellent and was also set-off by a 3.5 minute highlight reel capturing the season's high moments.
The administration was very accommodating and hospitable, making it such a positive and enjoyable experience for all involved.
Thank you Santa Margarita for all your help and for making our visit such an enjoyable one.
Congratulations to Coach Welch and the SMHS Eagle Football Team on a No. 10 national ranking and Div. I State Championship! You guys rock!!
