PREP FOOTBALL : Ancich Gets 200th Victory as Tustin Beats Irvine, 10-7

So Tustin High School beats Irvine, 10-7, on Tustin’s Northrup Field Thursday night and gives Coach Marijon Ancich his 200th career win. All it took was a field goal of record length, a face mask penalty and a 15-yard run by a guy whose other runs totaled minus four yards.

“This was just the type of game you wish would get over,” Ancich said. “We were basically asleep for 3 1/2 quarters. I’m just glad we woke up in time to win it.”

Both teams looked as if they were in a deep slumber in the first half. Each offense did a pretty good job of running and throwing in the first two quarters, but every time they got within scoring distance, well, a fumble, a blocked field goal, a failed fourth-down play . . . you get the idea.

It was Irvine that righted itself first, scoring on a 6-play, 22-yard drive after a interception by linebacker Brian Snoddy. Anthony Hernandez scored on a one-run dive and Irvine was up, 7-0.

Then it happened. Tustin put together a 5-play, 16-yard drive to the Irvine 27. On fourth down, kicker Mark Ropele made a 43-yard field goal--a school record--with 11:22 left in the game.

Irvine got the ball back on its two and drove to the Tustin 21 with 4:56 remaining. But on fourth and two, quarterback Jeff Jones’ pass was tipped incomplete.

The Tillers then drove to the Irvine 49. On third and five, running back Lani Machado (23 rushes, 95 yards) was stopped for no gain, but a face mask penalty gave Tustin 15 yards and a first down. Three plays later, fullback Tim Hollinger went off left tackle for 15 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Hollinger had run for three, two and minus nine yards before that.

High school football records being what they are, sketchy and less than reliable, it isn’t safe to call Ancich the first Southern Section coach to win 200 games. But this much can be said: He has the most wins among active coaches in the Southern Section.

“I’m just glad to be a part of high school football,” he said. “It’s something really special. Even in games like this.”

And with that, Marijon Ancich took two steps, was swept off his feet by his players who carried him into the locker room.

Piece of cake. THE ANCICH YEARS

1961 9-2 1962 4-5 1963 6-2-1 1964 6-3 1965 7-1-1 1966 7-2 1967 7-4 1968 11-0-2 1969 8-2 1970 8-2 1971 7-2-1 1972 13-0 1973 11-1 1974 8-1-1 1975 13-1 1976 10-2 1977 11-2 1978 9-1 1979 8-3 1980 11-1 1981 14-0 1984 6-4 1985 4-6 1986 2-1 Totals 200-48-6

Ancich coached at St. Paul from 1961-1981; Spent 1982 as Northern Arizona assistant; spent 1983 season as Cerritos College assistant.