By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
Phil Ferrigno can’t say he exactly dreamed of the day, probably because too many other visions filled his noggin.
The Lincoln High football coach watched his team celebrate yet another Turkey Day Game victory — the Mustangs’ fourth straight — with a 36-14 San Francisco Section title game triumph over Washington before about 3,500 fans at Kezar Stadium on Thursday.
Behind the second straight fantastic all-around game by Deshon Marman, Lincoln became the first team ever to win four straight Turkey Day Games.
Considering they’ve been playing the game since before the Great Depression (1924) and that this was the 85th annual game, Ferrigno was having trouble wrapping his brain around it.
Even 24 hours after the fact.
“Our focus has been just to get to this game and whatever happens then happens,” said Ferrigno, who was still beaming Friday afternoon. “Four in a row? I can’t really believe it. It’s awesome. I grew up watching this game as a kid as did all my family and all my wife’s family. There’s been so many idol-like figures who have crossed through this game and for us to make history, well, it makes me feel proud.”
When Ferrigno took over the program in the early 2000s, the program was an afterthought to Washington and Lowell. Getting kids to buy in was about as difficult as 5 p.m. traffic in the Metropolitan city.
But the Mustangs are nothing but money, even after the departure of one of San Francisco’s all-time greatest prep players, David Henderson, a three-time All-Metro running back who finished with 2,314 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns his senior season and 5,596 and 67 for his career.
After last year’s title game — a 49-0 win over Washington – Ferrigno promised then that “the cubbard isn’t bare.”
Taking up at least a shelf or two all season was Marman, a 6-foot, 200-pound running back and linebacker who finished off his career in grand style with, according to San Francisco Chronicle reporter Will McCulloch, nine tackles, a forced fumble, recovered fumble, two rushing touchdowns and a 25-yard reception for another score.
He also rushed 12 times for 80 yards.
Last year Marman had 10 tackles, three sacks, two punt blocks, two fumble recoveries and two touchdowns in the title game.
“(Marman) is just unbelievable,” Ferrigno said. “What he did (Thursday) is the epitome of how Deshon can beat you.”
While Henderson ended up starting at arguably the nation’s top junior college, San Francisco City College, Marman has a chance to go right to play Division I ball. San Jose State and UNLV have shown keen interest.
“People are hearing about him late,” Ferrigno said. “He’ll be a late signer.”
Marman’s little brother Devon Marman also had a big hand – or at least two feet – in this victory with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put the Mustangs (10-2) up for good 18-14 with 1:33 left in the half.
Lincoln’s defense, the running of Deshon Marman and junior tailback Eric Beverly (28 carries, 116 yards), steady signal-calling of third-year starter Ronnie Marania and strong line play did the rest.
Beverly, just 5-6 and 170, didn’t flinch taking the place of Henderson this season and was an absolute workhorse. He carried a remarkable 339 times for 1,930 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“He’s the best little running back around,” Ferrigno said. “He’s so tough and physical and he’s strong on defense also. He’s a little watterbug and he just squirts through the hole. The kid plays with a ton of passion.”
As did the Mustangs’ under-sized and inexperienced offensive linemen.
Guys like junior Andrew Wong (6-2, 245), who had never played before, and twins Steven and Stan Lin (both 6-0, 230) improved greatly over the season and helped the Mustangs gain its historic championship.
“Are they the best players in the world? No,” Ferrigno said. “Are they the best they could be and then some? Yes.”
Antonio Ogilivie and Grandville Taylor scored touchdowns for Washington (8-4), which mustered only 50 yards after halftime.
“We said for the (previous) three years we won this as a collective group and not just (Henderson),” Ferrigno said. “David was an amazing player and it was so rewarding to see him grow as a player and person. But this I think really shows what we’re all about. Every one led us to this point. It’s been a great run.”
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.
TURKEY DAY GAME TOTALS
Total titles
Galileo 15, Poly 15, Lowell 14, Balboa 9, Washington 8, Lincoln 8, St. Ignatius 6, Mission 5, McAteer 3, Commerce 1, Wilson 1
TURKEY DAY GAME WINNERS
2008: Lincoln
2007: Lincoln
2006: Lincoln
2005: Lincoln
2004: Lowell
2003: Washington
2002: Lowell
2001: Galileo
2000: Washington
1999: Washington
1998: Galileo
1997: Washington
1996: Galileo
1995: Lowell
1994: McAteer
1993: Wilson
1992: Galileo
1991: McAteer
1990: Galileo
1989: Galileo
1988: Galileo
1987: Washington
1986: Galileo
1985: McAteer
1984: Balboa
1983: Galileo
1982: Washington
1981: Galileo
1980: Balboa
1979: Lincoln
1978: Galileo
1977: Lowell
1976: Balboa
1975: Balboa
1974: Galileo
1973: Balboa
1972: Lowell
1971: Balboa
1970: Lowell
1969: Lincoln
1968: Balboa
1967: Balboa
1966: St. Ignatius
1965: Lincoln
1964: Washington
1963: St. Ignatius
1962: St. Ignatius
1961: Lowell
1960: Washington
1959: Poly
1958: St. Ignatius
1957: Balboa
1956: St. Ignatius
1955: Poly
1954: Mission
1953: Poly
1952: Poly
1951: Poly
1950: Commerce
1949: Poly
1948: Poly
1947: Poly
1946: Poly
1945: St. Ignatius
1943: Lincoln
1942: Lowell
1941: Lowell
1940: Poly
1939: Lowell
1938: Galileo
1937: Poly
1936: Mission
1935: Poly
1934: Galileo
1933: Galileo
1932: Mission
1931: Poly
1930: Mission
1929: Mission
1928: Lowell
1927: Lowell
1926: Lowell
1925: Poly
1924: Lowell
