Compiled by Steve Breazeale
A quick look around at the San Juan Capistrano high school football scene.
St. Margaret’s Loses Wild Game to Norte Vista 62-56
There was no stopping Norte Vista running back Eric Melesio on Nov. 18. The senior back carried the ball 43 times for 563 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the visitors past St. Margaret’s 62-56 in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 7 Championships.
Melesio, who is averaging 328 yards rushing per game, ran for season-highs in both yards and touchdowns.
But the Tartans did not go down easily. St. Margaret’s, the smallest school in Division 7, relied on quarterback George Krantz, running back Nick Krantz and receiver Ryan Cragun to move the chains.
Krantz threw for 319 yards, and Cragun caught 14 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns.
The loss ends the season for the Tartans, who finished with a 9-3 overall record.
Hartigan Resigns as Head Coach at JSerra

In a surprising move, JSerra head football coach Jim Hartigan announced in a press release he was resigning from the position on Nov. 18.
Hartigan, who signed a contract extension with the school through the 2019-2020 season back in January, was the Lions head coach for 10 seasons. He guided the Lions to a 47-43 record in his tenure.
JSerra’s 2016 season came to an end on Nov. 18 following a 55-24 loss to Centennial of Corona in the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships.
Hartigan brought JSerra a long way in his 10 years at the helm, including a fantastic 2014 campaign that saw the Lions go 10-2 overall and finish second in the Trinity League. The Lions defeated Mater Dei for the first time that season, and won the programs first-ever playoff game.
San Juan Hills Loses in First Round of Playoffs
The San Juan Hills High School football team found itself in a defensive battle with Buena Park in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs on Nov. 11, and were bested 20-7.
The Buena Park defense was able to stifle the potent Stallions’ running attack and earn a berth into the second round.
San Juan Hills finished the season with a 7-4 overall record and placed third in the South Coast League.
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