Two locals shine in St. Margaret’s School football program

Newport Coast residents Preston Ellis and Charlie Beall completed a notable season for the St. Margaret’s School football program last month.

Ellis, a 6-foot, 170-pound senior cornerback and receiver, earned Academy League Defensive Player of the Year honors after amassing nine interceptions and 72 tackles for the Tartans, who won league and CIF Southern Section East Valley Division titles, before falling in the CIF State Division IV Bowl Game on Dec. 19. Ellis returned two interceptions for touchdowns and also scored two rushing touchdowns. For the season, he carried seven times for 24 yards. He caught two passes for 51 yards and completed one pass on four attempts for three yards in 16 games.

Beall, a senior kicker and receiver, scored 123 points to help the Tartans (15-1), outscore opponents, 654-212. Beall, a 6-2, 215-pounder, made 10 of 12 field-goal tries, with a long of 48 yards. He connected on 81 of 88 conversion-kick attempts. He was named Kicker of the Year in the Academy League. His only rushing attempt of the season resulted in a 22-yard touchdown and he had two receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown.

St. Margaret’s defeated Grace Brethren, 34-21, in the East Valley Division final on Dec. 6.

— From staff reports