STEVE HERZOG

Steve Virgen

When Steve Herzog was 9, he found out more about a sport and soon he

fell in love.

It didn’t matter that his helmet appeared bigger than he was,

Herzog had discovered joy, confidence and an adrenaline rush when he

played football. This was his game.

As he grew, became older and learned more about football, he would

follow his older brother, Wayne, around. He would train with him and

watch Wayne’s Costa Mesa High games. Then, it was Steve’s turn. He

starred for the Mustangs as a tailback.

In three years of varsity football, Herzog compiled 2,586 yards

and 35 touchdowns on 441 carries. He ranks No. 12 on the all-time

Newport-Mesa career rushing list.

When Steve Herzog looks back on those days, he sees there was

potential for more.

“You spend your whole life wanting to get out of high school and

then when you’re out, you want to go back,” Herzog said. “If I could

go back, I would change my work ethic, and, as I look back, I could

have done things differently because I could have gotten a full-ride

scholarship to continue to play.”

As it was, Herzog seemingly did all he could when he took a

handoff and cradled the ball. He was an inspiring story, a 5-foot-7,

170-pound running back who defied the odds with his speed, tenacity

and field awareness.

There were many highlights, a few of which Herzog puts at the top

of the list.

“The best game I had was when I rushed for 315 yards against our

crosstown rival Estancia,” Herzog said. “That always sticks out the

most. In my senior year (1997-98) we posted the best record in school

history with a 10-2 [mark], and it’s great to be at the top of the

list.”In addition to football, Herzog also earned varsity letters in

wrestling and track and field. He competed at the 142-pound varsity

division as a freshman wrestler. He contributed on the 400- and

1600-meter relay teams and also ran the 200 in track and field.

After high school, Herzog worked for his grandfather and

maintained his love for football by following the game, including

high school, college and the NFL. Two years ago, he decided to

rededicate himself to football because of his love for the game.

He competed for Saddleback College. He played but one year, and

decided to stop playing since he seemed out of place. The Gauchos put

Herzog at fullback.

“Because I’m so short, they needed me to block and gain that quick

leverage,” the latest honoree of the Daily Pilot Sports Hall of Fame

said. “I stuck with it, but after the season, I hung up the cleats. I

did get to share the field with some great players, like Mark

Hatfield and Jason Whieldon, who’s now at Hawaii.”

Herzog, 24, lives in Las Vegas and is engaged to Lindsey Balko. He

returns to Costa Mesa frequently to visit his parents.