Ireland Setting the Pace for Santa Margarita : Prep football: Junior tailback, who sets school records with every step he takes, has high-flying Eagles off to 5-0 start.

By CHRIS FOSTER

Oct. 9, 1990 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA — Years from now, Josh Ireland will return to Santa Margarita High School to reminisce. He will lead his children through the Josh Ireland Courtyard , past the Josh Ireland Weight Room , which is next door to Josh Ireland Field .

There he will stop and say, “That’s where daddy used to play.”

But, for now, Ireland, a junior tailback, only shakes his head at such prospects. The idea of being the football player to which all other Santa Margarita football players will be compared doesn’t exactly thrill him.

“I guess it would be nice to be remembered,” Ireland said. “But I really don’t like all the publicity right now. It’s kind of embarrassing.”

However, it’s also unavoidable. It’s the price Ireland pays for being the first football star for Santa Margarita, a school that is only in its fourth year of existence.

With every step he takes on the football field, Ireland sets a record. On every play, he adds to his legend. And, almost every day, someone points him out as the star of the team.

The problem--if it can be called a problem--is that Ireland deserves it all. The Eagles are off to a 5-0 start this season and it’s Ireland who is their headliner.

“Josh is the guy we go to when the game is on the line,” Eagle Coach Jim Hartigan said. “If we need a big play, we put the football in his hands.”

Ireland has earned that role.

In 1989, he gained 1,281 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. This season, he has already gained 762 yards, second in Orange County, and has scored 10 touchdowns.

Ireland already has had two 200-yard games, including a 242-yard effort against Wilmington Banning three weeks ago. That performance broke his school record of 233 yards, which he had set the previous week against University.

Yet, for all his accomplishments, Ireland refuses to take any credit. He will talk about his 200-yard games, but quickly adds that he runs behind one of the best offensive lines in the county.

As to some of the outstanding plays he has made--both on offense and defense--Ireland will merely shrug as if he was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

“We have a lot of good players on this team,” Ireland said. “What happens on the field just happens.”

Ireland’s humility is balanced by Hartigan, who gives his running back a larger-than-life reputation.

Against University, Ireland had an 83-yard touchdown run and also made a 30-yard reception with two minutes left in the game to set up the winning field goal.

“Josh was supposed to be blocking the linebacker,” Hartigan said. “But he saw the secondary split and he took it upon himself to go out for the pass. I was going to say something to him about it, but what could I say? He won the game.”

Said Ireland: “(Quarterback) Trevor Yankoff made a great pass.”

A week later against Banning, Ireland had touchdown runs of 91, seven and two yards. He also threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dave Shearer.

“Josh is just a complete player,” Hartigan said. “If he isn’t beating you running the ball, he’ll beat you throwing it.”

Said Ireland: “Dave was wide open, I couldn’t miss him.”

Of course, Ireland may be humble but he does have goals, some that may seem quite outlandish for a soft-spoken person.

Ireland set his sights on 2,000 yards this season, a goal he was on pace to attain before an ankle injury slowed him. He had 614 yards through the first three games, but sprained his ankle in week No. 4 against Valley Christian.

Last week against Pasadena, Ireland returned to gain 109 yards.

“It’s scary, but Josh has actually gotten better this year,” Hartigan said. “He was great last year, but this season he blows by people. If he gets an opening, he’s gone.”

Hartigan has been impressed with Ireland’s abilities from the start.

Ireland played for the sophomore team as a freshman in 1988. At that time, the school didn’t have a junior or senior class, so Ireland was thrust into the spotlight.

Despite being a reserve, Ireland demonstrated exceptional abilities as a running back and linebacker. He made 25 tackles in one game and gained more than 100 yards twice.

Midway through the season, injuries left the freshman team in need of running backs, so Hartigan expanded Ireland’s duties. He played for the freshman team on Thursday and the sophomore team on Friday.

During one week, Ireland had two 100-yard games against San Clemente. He gained 550 yards in 3 1/2 games for the freshman team and 300 for the sophomore team.

In 1989, Santa Margarita fielded its first varsity football team and Ireland didn’t waste any time becoming the star.

In the second game, against Jurupa Valley, he gained 84 yards in three carries. A week later against Harvard, he had 158 yards in 21 carries--the first of four games in which he gained 140 or more yards.

The Eagles finished third in the Olympic League and qualified for the Southern Section Division IX playoffs.

In the first round, Santa Margarita defeated Beaumont, 20-0, behind a 169-yard performance by Ireland. The Eagles lost, 21-14, in the quarterfinals to Carpinteria, the eventual division champion.

Because it was the Eagles’ first year of varsity competition, Ireland set every school rushing record, most of which he has already broken this season. He was also third on the team with 62 tackles, intercepted four passes and was named first-team All-Division IX as a defensive back.

“Josh is going to always be remembered as the school’s first football star,” Hartigan said. “He’ll be the measuring stick for future players.”

Said Ireland: “The records will be broken. All records get broken. But I guess it would be nice if they weren’t broken for a few years.”

Or at least until the Josh Ireland Hall of Fame Room is constructed.