Quarterback Johnny Stanton of Santa Margarita’s top-ranked football team has suffered a torn ACL and will need surgery, Eagles coach Harry Welch said Saturday night.

Welch said he believes the Nebraska commit will miss the remainder of the season.

“He’s one of the best athletes I have ever known in 43 years of coaching, and he’s better human being than an athlete,” Welch said of the senior. “You don’t replace a Johnny Stanton.”

The All-County performer limped at times during the Eagles’ 35-27 victory against St. Bonaventure of Ventura on Friday but finished the game. Welch said he isn’t sure when Stanton suffered the injury. Stanton did come up limp after a QB draw run on Santa Margarita’s first series.

The Eagles (5-0), ranked No. 1 in the county and Pac-5 Division and No. 1 in the nation by ESPN, have a bye this week before opening the Trinity League against Servite (1-3) on Oct. 5.

“We’ll handle this about as well as anybody possibly could handle this,” Welch said. “(I) just feel so bad for Johnny and his teammates.”

Stanton (6-3, 220) had already passed for 949 and 11 TDs and rushed for 386 yards and eight TDs.

“He’s going to be absolutely fine and have an amazing college career,” Welch said.

Santa Margarita will now turn to junior Josh Canty (5-11, 178) or perhaps sophomore Kyle Sweet among others to play quarterback.

“I feel really, really good about the future. I’m just kind of devastated about what’s just happened,” Welch said.

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