Finally a Big Night for Rix, Eagles

He waited five weeks, but Chris Rix finally had his coming-out party with Santa Margarita High.

Rix, a transfer from La Puente Bishop Amat, looked very much like a player who is bound for Florida State. He threw for 261 yards and a touchdown, his first of the year, and rushed for 68 more Friday night in Santa Margarita’s 38-21 romp over Rancho Bernardo, San Diego County’s eighth-ranked team.

Rix, who entered the game with 19 completions in 51 attempts, completed 17 of 20 against Rancho Bernardo’s secondary. His 85% completion rate broke the school record set by Sean O’Brien in 1982. Dustin Creager caught 11 of Rix’s passes for 164 yards.

“I know Chris has been struggling, but I told him to just be patient and it will come,” Creager said. “Tonight, it came together.”

Said Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan: “Chris seemed to be on early and his confidence grew throughout the game.”

In the first half, Rix was 12 of 14 for 165 yards, nearly surpassing his yardage total of 203 through four games.

“It feels great,” Rix said. “Everybody was great. The offensive line gave me time, the receivers ran great routes and the coaching staff had a great game plan.”

That game plan was to open up the offense with three, four and five wide-receiver sets. Rix, who was only sacked once, had time to pick out his second or third option. Most of the night, that option was Creager, who had nine catches in the first half.

“The last couple weeks we settled down the offense, but tonight we opened it up,” Hartigan said. “It’s nice to see him step up and make plays.”

In Rix’s first four games, he had thrown five interceptions. He nearly threw his sixth on the opening drive, but a tipped pass was gobbled up by tight end Travis Okamoto. Three plays later, Tyler Thompson bulled his way into the end zone from three yards out.

Santa Margarita (3-2) scored again 50 seconds later when it capitalized on a Rancho Bernardo fumble. Jimmy Herzog’s four-yard touchdown run was set up by a Rix-to-Creager 21-yard pass play. The Eagles scored 48 seconds before the half by going 84 yards in seven plays. On the drive, Rix rushed three times for 51 yards and he completed three of three passes for 33 yards.

Rix’s first touchdown pass of the year came four plays into the third quarter and it put the game out of reach at 28-0. With four wide receivers spread out, Rix hit Creager on a 20-yard out that turned into a touchdown when Creager juked the cornerback and sprinted the last 10 yards.

“It’s about time,” Rix said.

And just in time for next Friday’s meeting with Rix’s old school, Bishop Amat.