Santa Margarita grounds-and-pounds Los Alamitos

“I think we were waiting for the game to be over,” Santa Margarita head coach Harry Welch said. “I love my team, but I’m not an exceptionally proud father right now.”

“We made mistakes that we normally don’t make. I’m not very happy.”

Santa Margarita won this game 38-27 by the way.

The Eagles led by as many as 24 points after a Ryan Wolpin touchdown run in the 4th quarter, but that’s when things changed for the stars of the “Tough Knocks” show.

Los Alamitos marched down the field and scored on a 7-yard Cody Paul touchdown run, and after Eagles quarterback Johnny Stanton fumbled the ball away to the Griffins, Los Al QB Dylan Lagarde threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Roberts.

It was a sloppy fourth quarter from the No. 3 ranked team in the county.

“We made a lot of mistakes,” running back Ryan Wolpin said. “We didn’t fully have it together in the second half, but we basically squeezed by.”

“Out second half wasn’t great,” quarterback Johnny Stanton said. “My fourth quarter wasn’t good at all. I had two fumbles and it almost cost us the game.”

Santa Margarita finishes off a perfect non-league schedule going 5-0. The Eagles enter a bye week, before visiting Mater Dei to kick off Trinity league play.

OCVarsity Gridiron: Los Alamitos faces first true test

Steve Fryer and Dan Albano break down the biggest games heading into Week 4:

• Will Santa Margarita providea first true test for Los Alamitos?
• Can Edison drop Mater Dei to 0-4?
• Does La Habra have enough to finally beat a Trinity League opponent in St. John Bosco?
• Should Mater Dei still be included in the Top 10 with an 0-3 record?

OCVarsity Top 10: Diver makes Olympic trials

The OCVarsity Top 10 counts down the best highlights from the previous week in O.C. prep sports.

Highlights include a wild touchdown run, a blocked field goal turned into a touchdown, an epic volleyball rally, a local diver qualifies for the Olympic trials, a football blooper and more!

Video by Jonathan Khamis, OCVarsity.com

Servite regains swagger, defeating Edison

Some Servite players believed that the reason they were sluggish in last week's 24-16 victory over La Habra was because they overlooked the Highlanders, while bracing for the upcoming challenge with No .6 ranked Edison.

There was nothing sluggish about Servite's performance Friday night. The Friars went on the road and decisively imposed their will, defeating the Chargers 27-14.

"We knew last week that we didn't come out and play Servite football," Friars' QB Cody Pittman said. "This week we came in and practiced hard. That's what made the big difference."

The Chargers were held to only 48 yards rushing, but injuries to Edison's running backs really hampered their attack.

Edison quarterback Chase Favreau faced pressure all night, especially from Servite's Brendan Johnson, who had two sacks. Favreau was intercepted twice, including a dagger of an interception returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter by Daniel Tejeda.

"In the past we all looked to the guys who played before us," Tejeda said. "The Karlton Dennis', Jordan Jones. We just wanted to come out here and represent."

Cody Pittman continued his stellar play, throwing for two touchdowns, while rushing for 63 yards.

Servite hits the road in a big way next week. The Friars will face nationally ranked Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas. It's yet another tough non-league opponent for Servite.

"I truly believe that scheduling the hardest teams will prepare us for league," Tejada said. "When we get to the playoffs, with all of the teams that we're facing now, it will help us out in the end."

All-Access: Los Alamitos dominates University of L.A.

Take an all-access look inside Los Alamitos' dominating 56-0 victory over University of Los Angeles.

Los Al's head coach John Barnes is mic'd up, as he leads his team to a fourth straight victory.

Interviews with John Barnes, quarterback Dylan Lagarde, and running back Cody Paul.

OCVarsity Top 10: Beast mode touchdown

Highlights include a ridiculous touchdown run, big time special teams plays, a four touchdown performance, water polo, volleyball, and more!

Some highlights used for the OCVarsity Top 10 were provided by "Sportzone," which you can catch every Friday night on Cox channel 3.

La Habra gives No. 1 Servite all it can handle

"I'm glad we don't have to play him again," Servite coach Troy Thomas said.

Thomas was talking about La Habra's linebacker and UCLA commit Aaron Porter, who shredded the Friars' defense on way to piling up three sacks, but Thomas could have said the same thing about La Habra in general.

Servite led La Habra 17-3 at halftime, and that's where most of the opponents the Friars have faced over the years have tapped out and limped their way to a sub par second half, but not the Highlanders.

It took La Habra 46 minutes to score their first touchdown of the game, but within seconds, all of their momentum was lost.

Servite's Kyle Ray, an injury replacement on special teams, came up with the biggest play of the game, as he returned an onside kick 48 yards for a touchdown.

"It was perfectly kicked," Thomas said. "Pretty lucky."

La Habra quickly answered with an obscene touchdown pass from Sean Sparling that was tipped by Servite's Connor Hoffman into the hands of Brett Bartalone. Once again, the Friars turned to kicker Sean Hale to provide an onside kick, but Servite held on to win the game.

"Onside kicks are a flip of a coin," La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta said. "We weren't happy with the first one...and they were tough. They went to the football and got it."

Servite's wide receiver Sam Hunt finished with 148 yards receiving and a touchdown, but he believes his team will be better off from winning a tough game.

"We learned that we can't look ahead," Hunt said. "We were looking at Edison kind of, so we learned a lesson today."

La Habra lost to Servite 28-16 in the first of three straight Trinity League opponents on the Highlanders' schedule. Orange Lutheran awaits La Habra next week, while Servite travels to "Surf City" to take on Edison.

Corona del Mar rallies in 4th, defeating Western

Corona del Mar rallied from a two touchdown deficit, defeating Western 22-21 with a furious fourth quarter rally. Interviews with Erik Fisher (167 yards rushing, 2 TD), and both head coaches.

Tough Knocks, Episode 3: Neighborhood rivalry

Episode 3 features Santa Margarita's road to the 'Rumble at the Ranch.'

Eagles players Max Tuerk and Cole Luther know they have to play better than last year if they want to defeat Tesoro.

"Tough Knocks" showcases a unique look at the 'Rumble at the Ranch,' from the perspective of the players, fans, and coaches, as Eagles wide receiver River Cracraft returns to the field with a bang.

OCVarsity Gridiron: Can La Habra upset Servite?

Steve Fryer, Carlos Arias, and Dan Albano visit Servite to preview the biggest games and stories heading into Week 2:

• Does La Habra have enough to upset No.1 Servite?
• How much of a challenge does La Costa Canyon pose to San Clemente?
• Will Mater Dei go to 0-2 with a loss to Centennial?

Servite head coach Troy Thomas and players Jherremya Leuta-Douyere and Miles Williams are also interviewed.
Video by Jonathan Khamis, OCVarsity.com.

OCVarsity Top 10: Breathtaking one-handed TD grab

The OCVarsity Top 10 is back!

Highlights include back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns, a timely interception, a fumble returned for a touchdown, and a breathtaking touchdown catch you have to see to believe.

Some highlights used for the OCVarsity Top 10 were provided by "Sportzone," which you can catch every Friday night on Cox channel 3.

San Clemente powers past Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley was no match for the size and power of San Clemente.

Travis Wilson didn't have to do much, and why would he when the running game was working so well. The Tritons combined for 393 total rushing yards, capped off by a two touchdown performance from Mike Elespuro.

The San Clemente defense shut out Fountain Valley for the 1st half. The Barons two scores in the second half were a result of facing the the Tritons' second team.

San Clemente's whirlwind month continued Thursday after widespread blackouts affected most of South Orange County, leaving San Clemente in the dark. This after former head coach Eric Patton was let go because of his ties to an illegal slush fund, and a bomb scare which evacuated over 3,000 students on the first day of school.

"It's adversity," said Landon Cook. "We just have to fight through it."

Tough Knocks: Emotional Season Opener

La Habra: Clark Livingston's transfer sparks a quarterback battle, a cancer victim inspires the Highlanders, and Cole Wolterman breaks his tibula as La Habra trounces El Dorado 55-27.

Santa Margarita: Quarterback Johnny Stanton becomes anxious before the season opener, as he helps his Eagles dominate Long Beach Jordan 56-0.

For the first look at "Tough Knocks" each week, be sure to check out the Register's iPad application each Tuesday at 6 p.m. "Tough Knocks" will be available on OCVarsity.com later in the week.

OCVarsity Gridiron: Rumble at the Ranch preview

Steve Fryer, Carlos Arias, and Dan Albano visit Tesoro to breakdown the best matchups from Week 1:

• Who wins the Rumble in the Ranch II?
• Can Mission Viejo beat the #1 ranked team in the country?
• Does Bishop Amat have a chance against Servite?
• Who really should be ranked No.1?

Tesoro head coach Brian Barnes and Titans players Chazz Roberts and Matt Adam are also interviewed.

California Life Appearances

Three of my videos are showcased on California Life this weekend:

• Surfing Walk of Fame
• NBA Moms vs. NFL Moms
• Clowning Around at the Circus

Check out the link below:

http://www.californialifehd.com/watch-show

Trabuco Hills edges by Capistrano Valley in fun season opener

Football is back, with a vengeance.

Thursday night featured blow outs in nearly every game except for the one between Trabuco Hills and Capistrano Valley. And if it wasn't for the 73 players cramping during the game, this game could have been considered a classic.

I mean there's nothing like starting football season than back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns. Sprinkle in some great touchdown grabs, big hits, some good defense, and you got yourself a bona fide barnburner.

Trabuco QB Jonathan Newsom was outstanding, throwing for two touchdowns. One of them was to Lucas Hoover who grabbed an interception as well.

"Jon's a stud," Hoover said. "He's underrated, so watch out everybody, he's coming."

Capo Valley seemed to respond to the Trabuco attack in the first half, but the Cougars were limited to only seven points in the second half, after the Cougars brought it defensively.

Tough Knocks: La Habra and Santa Margarita open training camp

The premiere episode of “Tough Knocks” chronicles the upcoming football season through the eyes of Santa Margarita and La Habra teams.

The Santa Margarita Eagles look to build upon their strong showing last season, while the La Habra Highlanders are trying to capture their fifth consecutive CIF-SS championship.

For the first look at "Tough Knocks" each week, be sure to check out the Register's iPad application each Tuesday at 6 p.m. "Tough Knocks" will be available on OCVarsity.com later in the week.

Video by Jonathan Khamis and Rod Veal, ocvarsity.com/video.

What did you think of the show? Sound off below with your comments!