Eagles 24 - Lincoln 6
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 9, 1999 – Newcomer Jimmy Herzog rushed for two touchdowns and running mate Tyler Thompson rushed for another as Santa Margarita opened their eleventh varsity season with a commanding 24-6 win over San Diego Lincoln. The Eagles (1-0) drove 50 yards on their second possession after a Ryan Schmidt fumble recovery to take a 7-0 lead on a four-yard run by Herzog. With 3:29 left in the first quarter the Hornets Jason Swanson found Steve Smith on a 54-yard scoring pass; however, the PAT was blocked by Thompson to keep the lead at 7-6. In the second quarter, Herzog scored again this time from 20 yards out and David Doomey added a 35-yard field goal to increase the lead to 17-6. Thompson closed out the scoring with a two-yard run with 3:48 left in the third quarter. QB Chris Rix found senior WR Dustin Creager (3 rec., 74 yards) on two critical 34-yard gains and also rushed for 26 yards on only three carries. Defensively, the Hornets (0-1) managed only three pass completions in 18 attempts and registered only eight first downs. Senior linebacker Matt Szkalak led the defense with 13 tackles including ½ sack and a fumble recovery, while Matt Vogel (nine tackles, ½ sack) Schmidt (fumble recovery, 1 ½ sacks), Trent Zinn (interception) and Creager (interception) played key rolls.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Lincoln | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
SM – Herzog 4 run (Doomey kick)
LIN – Smith 54 pass from Swanson (kick blocked)
SM – Doomey 35 FG
SM – Herzog 20 run (Doomey kick)
SM – Thompson 2 run (Doomey kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Thompson 11-85, Herzog 11-82; LIN - Wright 18-147, McNeal 1-10
Passing: SM - Rix 6-18-0-97; LIN - Swanson 3-17-0-73
Receiving: SM - Creager 3-72, Doomey 2-17; LIN - Smith 2-65, Henry 1-8
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Eagles topple Lincoln
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita's newest additions didn't disappoint the home crowd in their season opener Thursday at Saddleback College.
James Herzog rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns and David Doomey added six points to lead the Eagles to 24-6 victory over Lincoln of San Diego.
"Herzog did a nice job of running the ball and Doomey did some really good things out there tonight," Eagles coach Jim Hartigan said.
Herzog, a transfer from Costa Mesa, provided Santa Margarita with its first two touchdowns of the season on runs of four and 20 yards in the first half. Doomey, a transfer from Irvine, was perfect in all extra-point attempts and also nailed a 35-yard field goal.
The Eagles (1-0) other much-touted transfer, Chris Rix, formerly of Bishop Amat, finished 6-for-18 for 97 yards.
"Chris knows we have to be crisper in our passing game, but he still looked good running the offense," said Hartigan.
Santa Margarita totaled 323 yards total offense, 201 on the ground. Junior Tyler Thompson led the way with 85 yards and a touchdown.
Santa Margarita's defense was in midseason form. The Eagles limited the Hornets (0-1) to 224 total yards and eight first downs.
The only lapse occured midway through the first quarter when Lincoln's quarterback, Jason Swanson, hit Stephen Smith for a 54-yard touchdown for the Hornet's lone score.
"I'm really pleased with the defense's effort tonight, but we know we have some improving to do to get ready for Carlsbad next week," Hartigan said.
Lincoln running back Dwayne Wright led the Hornets offensively, with 147 yards on 18 carries. Hornet quarterback Jason Swanson was stymied all night long.
By Mark Garcia
Friday, September 10, 1999
The Orange County Register - D10
