SM 43, San Clemente 7 (MISSION VIEJO, Oct., 1, 1999)

The Eagles were clicking on all cylinders as they rolled up a school record 435 yards rushing in routing the San Clemente Tritons 43-7 before a Homecoming Crowd of 6,000 at Saddleback College. The win evened the Eagles record at 2-2 and avenged last seasons upset win by San Clemente which ended the Eagles' 28-game winning streak. Santa Margarita scored on five of its first seven possessions and scored in every quarter for the first time this season. The Eagles first score was set up by Matt Szkalak's first interception setting up a four-yard run by Jimmy Herzog (17 carries for 142 yards, 2 Tds). The Eagles took advantage of a muffed punt return at the Triton 11 where Tyler Thompson scored from two yards out. A recovered onsides kick led to a David Doomey 24-yard field goal and a 17-0 lead. Another Szkalak interception led to a 40-yard Td run by Chris Rix (7 carries for 98yards, 2 Tds), and a fumble recovery by John Cappelletti led to a Herzog score from 7 yards out with 4:22 left gave the Eagles a 29-0 halftime lead. A 52-yard run by Rix and a 41-yard run by Freshman Ashton White (6 carries for 77 yards in his varsity debut) closed out the Eagle scoring. Defensively, the Eagles limited the Triton's "Fly" offense to 218 yards after allowing 446 the year before. Szkalak's 15 tackles led the way while Matt Vogel and Jimmy Whithorne added 12 each.