Dana Hills 37 - Eagles 14
* Dana Hills forfeited this game *
MISSION VIEJO, CA., September 24, 1999 – The Eagles opened up a 14-7 lead but could not put the game away at the Dana Hills Dolphins used an effective option attack to roll to a 37-14 win at Saddleback College. The loss put the Eagles at 1-2 and off to their worst start since the 1991 team started 1-3. For the second consecutive week the Eagles' passing game sputtered, and the defense gave up over 250 yards rushing (257) and several critical big plays. Chris Rix got off to a good start scoring from three yards out for a 7-0 first quarter lead. A Jimmy Herzog three-yard scoring run put the Eagles ahead 14-7 with 2:03 left in the half. Dolphin QB Mike Bergey used a 68-yard run to set up his two yard Td pass to Matt Whitaker to tie the score. In the third quarter, Dana Hills put the game away with three long touchdowns including a 45-yard interception return on a deflected pass. Offensively, Jimmy Herzog had his best game as an Eagle rushing for 161 yards on 28 carries while Rix added 75. The team rushed for a season-high 249 yards, but passed for only 17 total yards - their worst passing performance since 1989. Defensively, senior LB Matt Szkalak led the team for the third consecutive week with 13 tackles.
| Dana Hills | 0 | 14 | 17 | 6 | 37 |
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
SM – Rix 3 run (Doomey kick)
DH – Kelly 7 run (Kunzi kick)
SM – Herzog 3 run (Doomey kick)
DH – Whittaker 2 pass from Bergey (Kunzi kick)
DH – Alavekios 52 pass from Bergey (Kunzi kick)
DH – Kunzi 32 FG
DH – Kelly 42 run (Bergey kick)
DH – Garton 45 interception return (kick blocked)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: DH - Bergey 11-120, Kelly 14-103; SM - Herzog 26-147, Rix 9-53
Passing: DH - Bergey 3-9-0-51; SM - Dlugolecki 2-8-0-10, Rix 2-6-2-7
Receiving: DH - Alavekios 1-52, Whittaker 1-2; SM - Creager 1-7, Doomey 2-6
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Bergey paces Dolphins, 37-14
MISSION VIEJO – The Dana Hills offense was ready to break out.
On Friday night, at Saddleback College, the Dolphins finally did.
Mike Bergey ran for 120 yards and threw for two touchdowns to lead the Dolphins to a 37-14 victory over Santa Margarita.
"They wanted this," Dana Hills coach Scott Orloff said. "We've been working real hard. We came so close the last two weeks."
The Eagles, behind a 3-yard touchdown run by James Herzog (147 yards rushing) took a 14-7 lead with 2:03 left in the second quarter, but it didn't last long. Bergey hit Matt Whittaker with a 2-yard scoring pass with 12 seconds left in the first half.
Dana Hills took the lead for good in the third quarter when Bergey connected with Damon Alavekios on a 52-yard touchdown pass.
Kyle Kelly (14 carries, 103 yards) later scored on a 42-yard touchdown run and Nick Garton closed out the scoring by returning an interception 45 yards for another touchdown.
"We're struggling," Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan said.
"After (Friday's) game I guess we need to work on defense, special teams and offense. We're breaking down in a lot of areas."
By Al Balderas
Saturday, September 25, 1999
The Orange County Register - D12
