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Engle puts best foot forward
by Julian D. Jenkins
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Eagle’s quarterback Matt Engle let loose with one of 30 passes he completed Friday night against Torrance. Photo by Julian D. Jenkins |
El Segundo quarterback Matt Engle ruined Torrance High’s homecoming Friday night by throwing for 407 yards and three touchdowns, and kicking three field goals. Flying high off a 50-0 rout over Centennial last week, The Eagles defeated the Tartars 36 to 26 in Ocean League play.
Quarterback Matt Engle lead the opening drive down the field, only to be sacked on a fourth and 7 with 7:30 to play in the first quarter. After Torrance scored, Engle responded by kicking two field goals, making the score 7-6. Engle helped set up the second field goal with a 61-yard pass to senior tight end Steve Eno.
El Segundo then recovered an onside kick that turned the tide. By the third quarter, the Eagles were up 29-14. The Torrance backfield punched in another touchdown, but failed to complete the two-point conversion. Although the Tartars scored twice, penalties plagued them in the fourth quarter. Engle and his offense took full advantage and scored on a 23-yard quarterback run to end the game 26-36.
"The game was very exciting," said El Segundo Head Coach Steve Shevlen after the win. "I don’t think either team felt comfortable with the lead at any point in the game. We went in thinking if we could stop the run, we would have a shot to win."
Engle threw for 453 yards and three touchdowns. He also gained 44 yards on 8 rushes. Steve Eno had 123 yards on six catches averaging 20 yards.
"I thought that Matt Engle and Steve Eno played well. Also, our defense stopped Torrance quite effectively," said Coach Shevlen. " We gave up some passes, but we knew that would happen if their quarterback was throwing well."
The Eagles play their Homecoming game against Santa Monica next Friday at Hazeltine Field. Santa Monica was a favorite in the league as they return 17 starters. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ER