SEASON OUTLOOK
Dane Crane, committed to Washington, is one of several key returners on the offensive line for Santa Margarita.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Up until last week, the toughest out-of-area game was undoubtedly the Aug. 24 tilt in Arizona against Brophy College Prep (Phoenix), but that game was canceled according to Welch by the Arizona Interscholastic Association. “It’s very disappointing,” Welch said. “We need another game.” That leaves a Sept. 21 home game with two-time state bowl champion and perennial state and sometime national power
St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) as the Eagles’ toughest nonleague tilt.
Question mark: The defensive front seven lost the most to graduation, but with tackle-machine Gibbs and talented linemen Begg and Prenovost back, it’s not a big concern. Especially since the offense should pile up yards and numbers by the bundle.
Opponents are likely to play from behind against SantaMargarita, and safety Connor O'Brien will be tasked withstopping those passing attacks.
Photo by Louis Lopez
The Trinity League is considered one of the top five in the United States and last year, both of the Eagles’ defeats came in league by a total of eight points. It will be a battle week-to-week but with Stanton’s leadership and the team’s offensive firepower, Santa Margarita should be able to avoid any upsets.
Overall outlook: It was a rough offseason for Welch, 67, who was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 20 while being investigated for allegedly shoving a player on Dec. 13. He was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the Orange County District Attorney on Jan. 26 and then reinstated to coach by the school on Feb. 15. On top of that, the school let go of three assistants who were tied to drug possession charges. But Welch is no quitter. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the middle of the 2010 season and never missed a game. According to Patch.com, he has since been named the annual king for American Cancer Society’s Rancho Santa Margarita Relay for Life event. He and the Eagles want nothing more than to put the off-the-field issues long behind them and the best way to do that is to win and do so convincingly. They have the horses and staff to do it.
Coach quote: “We have great athletes and a fantastic group of assistants and support staff. I couldn’t be more excited to start a season.”
- Harry Welch
