PHOTOS: Segerstrom opens Kappa League play with win against St. Margaret’s

Segerstrom’s Noah Martinez with a quarterback keeper sprints into the end zone for a touchdown. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone).

Segerstrom High School’s football team opened Kappa League play Friday night with a 27-14 road victory over St. Margaret’s.

“Last night our guys came in focused after the bye week and really played at a high level,” Segerstrom Coach Joseph Tagaloa said Saturday. “Our offense was led by Ayden Morales who had several big runs where he refused to go down, resulting in two touchdowns. His toughness really showed and gave our offense the spark it needed. Both Noah Martinez and Louis Garcia added rushing touchdowns as well.”

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Segerstrom's Ayden Morales spins to evade being tackled by the defender.

After the reception, Segerstrom's Logan Rosales picks up the first down. St. Margaret's Sebastian Salazar, defends.

St. Margaret's quarterback, Kai Letcher is pressured by Segerstrom's defense.

Two-point conversion by Segerstrom's running back, Luis Prado. St. Margaret's Andrew Toubin defends.

Segerstrom's Ayden Morales breaks free from St. Margaret's defender Angel Cruz-Sanchez.

The defense also stepped up for the Jaguars (4-2, 1-0).

“Defensively we were led by the solid play of our linebacking core, Alfredo Rivas, Jullian Gonzalez, and Matthew Orellana who flew around all night,” Tagaloa said. “Our defensive line recorded several big sacks and pressured the quarterback all night, which complimented our secondary play. 

“Overall I was very proud of the effort that our guys left on the field, but understand that our league is filled with challenges. We will have to clean up our mistakes in order to prepare for another tough opponent in Esperanza.”

St. Margaret’s (3-3, 0-1) was led by junior Jack Kleinhanzi, who had both touchdowns, according to Coach Dan O’Shea.

Segerstrom hosts Esperanza while St. Margaret’s plays at Brea Olinda on Friday night.