Lincoln strikes early, dominates Balboa 35-0 to win 99th San Francisco Section Turkey Day: Video, photos, live game wrap

Mustangs score on second play of game, hard-hitting defense allows just 84 yards to win their 14th section championship, fourth in five seasons and 10th under coach Phil Ferrigno

SAN FRANCISCO — Big games require big plays from big-time players. 

Coaches, fans, and players recite it all the time. 

Lincoln-San Francisco needed just one big play on the second play from scrimmage Thursday by 5-foot-6, 160-pound senior running back Jamelle Newman in order to win their second straight San Francisco Section championship game. 

Newman juked one defender just past the line of scrimmage and sprinted 76 yards for a touchdown and the Mustangs (9-3) were off and running — literally — to a 35-0 victory over Balboa in the 99th playing of the Turkey Day Game, which doubles as the city's public school title matchup. 

Lincoln's Jamelle Newman takes off on his 76-yard touchdown run. He finished with 21 carries for 172 yards and two TDs.  / Photo: Ernie Abrea

"I saw a one-on-one and I knew if I get tackle in a one-on-one, the coaches are going to get on me," Newman said with a smile. "I just juked him and ran as fast as I could and scored. It felt good." 

Lincoln got another big play in the second quarter on the first of two Andrias Allanigue to Kevin Zhao touchdown connections, this one 65 yards. The rest of the afternoon on a sparkling, sunny, crisp day largely belonged to the defense. 

Balboa (7-5), which had played Lincoln tough during the regular season, losing 15-10, mustered a meager 82 yards and never got inside the Mustangs' 35-yard line. 

Add in 21 carries, 172 yards and another touchdown run from Newman, and 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and 1-yard touchdown burst from Diego Cristerna, and the Mustangs advanced to the CIF State Regional Bowl games, looking for their fourth state title since 2018. 

Lincoln has now won three section titles in four seasons, 14 section crowns overall and 10 while proud coach Phil Ferrigno took over as head coach in 2002. 

“Thirty-five nothing, that’s pretty impressive,” Ferrigno said. “Our kids played great on defense. That’s a credit to Jon (Lee) and the entire defensive staff. And we actually completed a couple passes.” 

Balboa’s defense played tough, but gave up two long plays in the first half. Newman swept left on the second play of the game, put his foot in ground and was gone on his 76-yard touchdown.

"I saw the tackler come up on me one-on-one and I knew if I got tackled one-on-one the coaches would be on me," Newman said with a laugh. "I just juked and ran as fast as I could and I scored." 

Lincoln got to the Balboa 28 on its next series, but Newman got hit hard and Michael Zapata recovered. The Buccaneers held the next two series, until Allanigue found Zhao over the middle. The ball was tipped, but Zhao hauled it in and sprinted the final 40 yards untouched.

“The tip made it easier to catch,” said Zhao, who just contributed on special teams in last year’s 37-7 win over Balboa in the SFS title game. “Coaches called a couple pass plays and I was like 'OK, let's get it. The ball came to me. I caught it and scored two touchdowns." 

Kevin Zhao with the first of his two touchdowns, a 65-yard catch and run to give Lincoln a 14-0 lead.  / Photo: Ernie Abrea

The Mustangs put it away in the third after a Cristerno fumble recovery, Newman powered over from the 2, his 24th touchdown of the year.

Then Allanigue threw a perfect 15-yard TD strike to Zhao near the end of the third quarter, making it 28-0.

"It feels amazing. when coaches call pass plays," Zhao said. "I get excited and hope it comes to me. I just try to get open because (Allanigue) throws a perfect ball."

The way the Mustangs played defense, this one was clearly over. Cristerna added a 1-yard plunge late in the fourth to send the game to a running clock. Lincoln got tremendous efforts from its front seven that included Yuan Lin, Leo Kessler, Cristerna, Zhao and Myles Hamlin. 

Side Villegas added an interception late. 

"We just rally around the ball, gang tackle and play together," Zhao said. 

Afterward, Ferrigno was ambushed by a half dozen grandkids tugging at his shorts, asking to get picked up. More family gathered for fist bumps, hugs and hand shakes. He held up 5-year-old grandaughter Elizabeth while answering questions.

“It’s great to win on Thanksgiving,” he said. “The turkey just tastes a little bit better. Gravy too.” 

Coach Phil Ferrigno (right) holds the trophy with one of his players following Lincoln's 35-0 win over Balboa for the San Francisco Section title at Kezar Stadium.  / Photo: Ernie Abrea

FIRST QUARTER

Lincoln 7, Balboa 0: Second play of the game, electric RB Jamelle Newman takes on stern jab, jets up field 76 yards for touchdown Mustangs jump out front 11:09 1Q

* Mustangs drive to Balboa 28 but Newman is hit hard, fumbles and Balboa's Michael Zapata recovers. 

SECOND QUARTER (Lincoln 7, Balboa 0)

Lincoln 14, Balboa 0: Another huge play for Lincoln. 65-yard tipped TD pass from Andrias Allananigue to Kevin Zhao, who sprints the final 50 untouched. 2:50 2Q.

* 60-yard punt return by Newman goes OB at the 6. Unfortunately for Lincoln, the return ended the half

* According to Cal-Hi Sports writer Harold Abend, Balboa only had 42 yards in the first half. Newman has 107 yards rushing for Lincoln on 10 carries.

THIRD QUARTER (Lincoln 14-0)

Lincoln 21, Balboa 0: Pretty low key TD celebration by Jamelle Newman of Lincoln, which takes 21-0 lead of Balboa with 7:42 left in 3Q. TD was set up by a fumble recovery by Diego Cristerna. Newman’s second TD today.

Lincoln 28, Balboa 0: Second TD connection, this one a pretty 15-yard pass from Andrias Allanigue to Kevin Zhao. Lincoln 28, Balboa 0. 2:20 3Q. Turkey Day Game at Kezar Stadium

FOURTH QUARTER 

Lincoln 35, Balboa 0:  Diego Cristerna powers over from 1-yard line. 3:42 4Q. About to go to running clock. 

(Photos below by Ernie Abrea)