Santa Margarita tailback shines after the kickoff
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Photo: Rick Rickman |
Practice isn't perfect for Ireland
Josh Ireland should have "TGIF" emblazoned on his school locker.
Ireland, the driving force behind Santa Margarita's rise to the CIF playoffs and football respectability, looks forward to Fridays like those toiling through a 40-hour work week.
Ireland, a sophomore tailback, has no beef about attending school. It's what he's expected to do after class that causes him to grimace.
Practice.
"One of my main problems is that I'm pretty lazy," Ireland said. “I'd pay money for someone to go practice for me."
Opposing coaches might cough up some dough to keep Ireland out of Friday night games. The Eagles' top rusher has made defenses pay with his quickness and powerful running.
The improbable Eagles – in their first season of varsity football – battle Carpinteria (10-1) tonight in Division IX second-round action at 7:30 at Saddleback College.
Santa Margarita (8-3) is the at-large representative from the Olympic League.
This season, Ireland became the school's first 1,000-yard rusher with 1,236 yards on 154 carries. He scored 11 touchdowns on the ground, one on a pass reception, another from a kickoff return and one last week on an interception.
Ireland, a Mission Viejo resident, might have a point. For all he does during games, maybe he shouldn't expend too much energy during workouts.
"He's not a real good practice player, but you put him into the game and he is ready to go," Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan said.
During last spring's workouts, Ireland was ready to ride the bench. He was third on the Eagles' tailback depth chart.
But the No. 1 back got kicked off the squad and the second-stringer quit to pursue other athletic interests.
Enter Ireland, the then-15-year old behind Door No. 3 – all 5-9, 170 pounds of him.
Once a virtual unknown, Ireland has become a marked man.
“You won't find too many sophomores getting it done like he does at this level," said Carpinteria coach Lou Panizonn.
"I wish I had a back like that. I'm pretty impressed with him."
His defensive play can't be overlooked, either. He's the starting safety and, Hartigan said, “one of our hardest hitters.” Ireland has assisted on 45 tackles, recorded 14 unassisted and has four interceptions.
“I love defense, it's a lot of fun," Ireland said. “I like hitting and making the big plays back there."
Against Carpinteria, Ireland and teammates will need to do both.
The No. 3 seeded-Warriors are shooting for their fourth-consecutive CIF title game. They shared the championship last year with Tehachapi and won it outright in 1975, '79, '86, '87.
Hartigan said Ireland, Santa Margarita's first football media star, is expected to lead the way.
“He's getting some publicity now, but he'll have to put all of that aside. He has to remain focused on what we want him to do."
And for Ireland to do that, his offensive line must keep playing the way it has.
Collectively, they've helped make Ireland a sweet-16 runner. Without them, Ireland would be just another sophomore taking his lumps.
Nathan Beckett, Lou Rubiralta, Shane Mielke, John Byszewski and Ryan Mummert are the quintet that makes Ireland's eyes smile.
“I had no idea I would have this good of a year and a lot of it is because our offensive line has come on so well," Ireland said.
By Jay Paris
Friday, November 24, 1989
The Orange County Register - D1
