Santa Margarita (7-3) vs. Aliso Niguel (5-5)

7:30 TONIGHT ALISO NIGUEL HIGH

Santa Margarita plays a rare first-round playoff game on the road. The Eagles have a two-game losing streak, their first since 1995. The schools are a combined 20-8 in playoff games. Third-seeded Aliso Niguel, the Pacific Coast League champion, got as difficult a draw as any team with a first-round home game. The Wolverines scored on two fumble recoveries and a punt return in a 27-18 victory over Costa Mesa. They gained only one first down against the Mustangs. Santa Margarita must avoid the turnovers that led to 13 points in its 20-12 loss to top-seeded Woodbridge last week.

KEY PLAYERS Santa Margarita

RB Spencer McCroskey 782 yds., 6 TDs

Mike O’Gorman 45 rec., 17.9 yds./catch

QB Greg Orlando 57.8%, 14 TDs, 6 Ints.

Aliso Niguel

WR Jason Moore 21 rec., 21.1 yds./catch

RB Iman Nikzad 387 yds., 5.1 per carry

RB Devon Sutton 485 yds., 6 TDs