Eagles 17 - Irvine 14
MISSION VIEJO, CA., October 13, 1995 – In the past the Santa Margarita-Irvine game has been one of the best games of the season, and the 1995 version could have been the best of all. With both defenses flexing their muscles all night, the Eagles managed to take a 7-0 lead into halftime. While the Vaqueros were keeping the Eagles' passing attack in check, Billy Newman took up the slack and rushed for 159 yards and one score. His biggest play came on a 4th and 12 when he picked up 14 yards on a dump pass. This set up Jeff Zaist's 46-yard field goal as time expired. The defense also held Irvine on a 3rd and 1 and a 4th and 1 from the 5 yard line.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Irvine | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
SM – Collins 4 run (Zaist kick)
IRV – Diehl 2 run (Setian kick)
SM – Newman 1 run (Zaist kick)
IRV – Savona 11 run (Setian kick)
SM – FG Zaist 46
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Rushing: Newman 26-159, Collins 6-35, Minna 4-28
Passing: Collins 6-16-0-61
Receiving: Nickels 3-21, Brown 1-21, Newman 1-14
Scoring: Newman 1 TD, Collins 1 TD, Zaist 1 FG, 2 PATs
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: Pichler 5, B. Jackson 5, Nichels 5, Newman 3
Asst. Tackles: Minna 7, Berg 7, Grzecka 7, Pichler 5, Bennett 4, Baier 4
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Santa Margarita tops Irvine
MISSION VIEJO, CA., October 13, 1995 – In the end, Santa Margarita's Jeff Zaist stood front and center, a hero.
Zaist, a linebacker and kicker, booted a 46-yard field goal with three seconds left to lift eighth ranked Santa Margarita to a 17-14 victory over visiting Irvine in the Sea View League opener for both teams Friday night.
Zaist's heroics set off a wild celebration at Saddleback College as the Eagles ran from the sideline and piled on the senior. Afterward, Zaist led Santa Margarita (5-1, 1-0 in league) in its alma mater song.
"It's unbelievable," a jubilant Zaist said. “I've never felt like this before."
The game-winning kick capped a drive that started at the Eagles' 35-yard line. The squad, behind the running of junior Billy Newman (24 carries for 159 yards) and senior quarterback Chris Collins, advanced the ball to Irvine's 29-yard line with 15 seconds left. The Eagles took a shot at the end zone on third down before calling on Zaist.
"I usually keep my head down but by the reaction of the crowd, I knew it was good," said Zaist, whose longest kick at the school is 47 yards in a junior varsity game.
Zaist added that the kick had some extra significance because he missed a point-after-touchdown in the Eagles' 28-27 loss to Fountain Valley last week.
"I practiced all week and made up for it," he said. “Practice pays off."
Irvine (3-3, 0-1) had a chance to take the lead earlier in the fourth quarter but missed a 43-yard field goal with 9:46 left. Its next drive was stopped at midfield with three minutes remaining.
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Irv - Savona 22-99, Diehl 18-79; SM - Newman 24-154, Minna 4-26
Passing: Irv - Flint 5-7-48; SM - Collins 7-16-68
Receiving: Irv - Irani 4-27, McCauley 1-21; SM - Nickels 3-21, Newman 2-21
By Dan Albano
Saturday, October 14, 1995
The Orange County Register - Sports 13
