McCroskey Saves His Best for Last

He is not from the same mold as recent Santa Margarita running backs Billy Newman or Bryant Wolfsberger, and he is hardly as heralded as former Eagle safeties Brad Finneran or John Minardi. Still, Spencer McCroskey follows an impressive line of successful players in his dual role at Santa Margarita.

McCroskey’s appearance Friday night in the Southern Section Division VI championship at Cal State Fullerton could also be his last game. He has applied to Stanford, USC and Georgetown, and doesn’t have any notions about playing at those schools.

While he ranks 23rd among the county’s rushers this season, McCroskey also has a 4.2 grade-point average.

“My life,” he said, “isn’t going to be based around football.”

His final game will give him ample opportunity to go out in a blaze of glory. Santa Margarita’s opponent, Woodbridge (12-0-1), has a stiff-as-a-rail defense and a balanced offense that requires the Eagles’ full attention.

McCroskey, a two-way starter, could have an impact on both those obstacles.

If the Eagles can establish a running game with McCroskey bulling his way into the line, their task will be immeasurably easier. Because Woodbridge doesn’t give up many points--seven in the last 15 quarters and an average of 8.7 in 13 games--Santa Margarita’s defense doesn’t have much margin for error. McCroskey, a free safety, must support the run defense and help on pass coverage.

“No doubt Woodbridge is a very good football team offensively and defensively, very impressive,” said McCroskey, a team captain. “There’s something to be said for being undefeated--I know what that’s like and it’s not easy to do. We’ll have our hands full.

“But I don’t want to have any regrets looking back on my last game.”

Nor does he regret the endless hours he has put into the program waiting for his opportunity. In four years, he hasn’t missed a practice.

“At this level, with the competition in Division VI, reaching the finals has got to be the most fulfilling thing I’ve done athletically,” McCroskey said.

It hasn’t been easy for the Eagles (9-3), who returned three starters on offense and one on defense from last year’s unbeaten team. Unlike last season, Santa Margarita hasn’t been the most physically gifted or experienced team on the field every night.

“We’re not the biggest, fastest or strongest team,” McCroskey said, “but we have a lot of heart and a lot of good athletes.”

McCroskey is also on the kickoff, punt and punt return teams. “He’s a great special teams player,” Eagle Coach Jim Hartigan said.

Said McCroskey: “I grew up with a lot of kids in South Orange County who were playing as sophomores and juniors and I was playing special teams, and it was frustrating. But now I’m starting both ways, and sure, it’s been tiring, but it’s been fulfilling.”

It’s a testament to McCroskey’s athleticism that he’s able to contribute so much to a team trying to win its third consecutive section title, the first county team to do so since Irvine in 1993. He shares the team lead with 35 unassisted tackles and his 78 total is fourth best. He has forced a fumble and intercepted two passes.

“You have to be a pretty good athlete to play running back and safety, and we’re not going to put a guy we don’t trust at those positions,” Hartigan said. “He’s a guy who has proven he can come through for us.”

Unlike Newman and Wolfsberger, the running backs who preceded him, McCroskey (6-1, 185) is more a fullback type, hard-nosed and driven.

McCroskey doesn’t turn games around with one carry--his longest of the season is 39 yards--but he is a nice complement to scrambling quarterback Greg Orlando. McCroskey rushed for 1,061 yards (5.0 average, 81.6 per game) and 10 touchdowns.

“He doesn’t have the type of quickness or big-play potential as Newman or Wolfsberger,” Hartigan said, “but he’s every bit as good from tackle to tackle.”

Hartigan’s bottom-line assessment is even more impressive: “He’s been our most solid performer this year--solid on offense, solid on defense.”

It is on defense where McCroskey may be most valuable against Woodbridge and its dangerous running back, Shane Harris. McCroskey is on the last line of defense in a game that could be low scoring.

When they played in the last week of the Sea View League season, Woodbridge beat Santa Margarita, 20-12, to win the league title. The Eagles finished third. McCroskey rushed 14 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. His fumble was converted into a touchdown--one of four turnovers that led to 13 points for Woodbridge.

Vindication will not be an issue Friday.

“We can’t be selfish,” McCroskey said. “I can’t say I need redemption. If I rush for 15 yards and we win, that will be more telling. It’s not about personal statistics, but it’s about us being here in Week 14 and having to go out and compete as a whole.”

McCroskey’s approach, work ethic and attitude have landed him favor with Hartigan and an impressive comparison in the secondary.

“He’s physical,” Hartigan said. “He’s not as physical as Minardi [who attends Colorado], but he’s in that class. We’ve always had good safeties here who will knock the crap out of you.

“He’s kind of a no-name guy who’s done nothing but plugged away at it and helped us win games. I would like nothing more than to have Spencer have an outstanding game. He deserves it, he’s earned it, he’s worked for it.”