
Here are two different takes on the same game from the Tustin Sports writers.
By Artie Casas
Tustin Sports Editor
The Knights (4-0) will host Santa Margarita (2-2) on Thursday at Tustin High with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
What to expect: The best non-rivalry game of the season for a Tustin school. I think the Eagles are overrated and the Knights are underrated. This is Foothill’s chance to make a statement and show the rest of the county how good it really is.
Here is what I know: Foothill’s offense is real good, its defense is bad and the Eagles are a sure tackling team. What does this mean? Foothill will have to out slug Santa Margarita. Don’t expect the same defensive stalemate from a year ago.
Key to the game: Quarterback Chad Miller’s decision making. Foothill will live and die on Miller’s efficiency in the pocket this week. He needs to hit his open receivers, they need to catch ball, and Miller also has to know when to make a run for it when a play breaks down.
Who to watch: Running back Michael Camacho and Foothill’s 12th man (the fans). Camacho is not the type of runner that goes down on the first hit, but I’m curious to see if he can break a big run against a stingy Eagles defense. Players tend to feed off the energy and excitement from the fans, two years ago that’s what lifted the Knights over Santa Margarita.
Prediction: Foothill’s defense makes me want to pick the Eagles, but the offense has me believing that it will take Santa Margarita’s spot in the Orange County’s top ten ranking with a 42-35 win.
By JOSH DIGGS
Tustin Sports Writer
The conclusion of Week 4 brings some more clarity to an already intriguing season. Each team's overall strengths and weaknesses are becoming more evident. Foothill proved that it definitely belongs in the middle of the Top 25 rankings with a big win over El Modena.
FOOTHILL VS. SANTA MARGARITA
This was my preseason pick for game of the season for Foothill. Last year's 7-6 loss for the Knights adds extra motivation to their mission of proving to the rest of the county that they are for real.
Who to watch: Foothill's Chad Miller and Santa Margarita's Carlo Audagnotti. Each time I see Miller I swear he's an inch taller and stronger. He rushed for three TD's last week and threw for two more. He also converted a two-point conversion, went heads up with linebackers on several occasions and added a booming 60 yard punt. What else can you say? The Eagles's Audagnotti is averaging over 150 yards per game rushing.
Did you feel that? Jordan Winger. The linebacker flies around and is probably the hardest hitter on the team. He made his presence felt last week with several hard hits, nine tackles including a pretty solo tackle at the 1-yard line on El Modena's Ray Holley. Look for him to zero in on Audagnotti.
Keep rolling, rolling, rolling: The Knights offense has yet to find a defense it hasn't liked this season. The offense has gotten better each outing with scores of 40, 49, 55 and 56, but it has yet to play a defense as well coached as Santa Margarita's.
Prediction: Foothill doesn't put up the points it has been accustomed to, but it grinds out a win and stuns Santa Margarita 21-20.