PREP FOOTBALL ’99 : SERRA LEAGUE : SANTA MARGARITA

1998 RECORD: 10-4 overall, 3-2 in league

COACH: Jim Hartigan (94-29-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS:

5 on offense, 5 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

David Cahill, OL/DL, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Dustin Creager, QB/WR/K, 6-0, 155, Sr.; Ryan Lumm, OL/DL, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Adam Schmit, DB, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Matt Szkalak, TE/LB, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Tyler Thompson, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Trent Zinn, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.;

TOP NEWCOMERS

John Cappelletti, DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Curtis Cooper, WR/DB, 5-8, 150, So.; Matt Dlugolecki, QB, 6-5, 200, Jr.; David Doomey, WR/RB/DB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Jimmy Herzog, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Scott Lopez, OL, 6-2, 266, Jr.; Jeff Mazmanian, OL, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Chris Rix, QB, 6-4, 215, Sr.; Matt Vogel, LB, 5-11, 182, Jr.; Jimmy Whithorne, WR/LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.

OUTLOOK

Santa Margarita did not want to leave the Sea View League for the Serra. And why should it? The Eagles’ last three seasons included two league titles, two Southern Section Division V titles, and being the Division VI runners-up last year. During that stretch the Eagles won 28 consecutive games, the second-longest winning streak in county history. The leap from Division VI to Division I is a big one, but the Eagles’ landing will be softened by three key transfers. Rix, a preseason All-America pick who has given a verbal commitment to Florida State, threw for 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns in a run-oriented offense at La Puente Bishop Amat. Herzog (1,502 yards, 18 touchdowns) was the Pacific Coast League offensive player of the year at Costa Mesa. And Doomey (1,149 yards, 13 touchdowns) was an integral part of Irvine’s Sea View League co-championship. Among the returning Eagles, Szkalak (87 tackles) is a force at linebacker. At wide receiver, Zinn (nine catches, 176 yards, two touchdowns) is the fourth member of his family to play football at Santa Margarita. While Santa Margarita is swift and strong, it remains to be seen if the smallish Eagles can withstand the physical demands of Division I. If they can, it’s not implausible to think the Nov. 6 showdown with Mater Dei at Edison Field won’t be their only meeting this year.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 vs. San Diego Lincoln at Saddleback College; 17 at at Carlsbad; 24 vs. Dana Hills at Saddleback College.

Oct. 1 vs. San Clemente at Saddleback College; 8 at San Diego Rancho Bernardo; 15 vs. La Puente Bishop Amat at Saddleback College; 22 at Mission Hills Alemany; 29 at Bellflower St. John Bosco.

Nov. 6 vs. Mater Dei at Edison Field; 12 vs. Servite at Saddleback College.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

www.eaglesfootball.com