MISSION VIEJO — Lincoln High School’s football team filled the role of vagabonds this season. Because of a home field that was deemed unsafe, the Hornets not only played every game on the road, but boarded buses to every practice.

“Never had a season like it,” said Lincoln coach David Dunn.

A season of resolve and resilience ended in tears of celebration Friday night as the Hornets capped an unforgettable season by beating Pittsburg 28-26 at Saddleback College to win the Division 1-AA state championship.

It’s the second state title in the last three years for the Hornets (12-2).

“Could not be more proud of a group of young men,” said Dunn.

Added offensive coordinator Jason Carter: “How about the character of these kids? Against all odds. On the road, every week. We said we’d be road warriors. And we backed it up.”

How’s this for grit? The Hornets were missing UC Davis-bound senior running back Aden Jackson, who rushed for 1,462 yards and scored 20 touchdowns but was out with a bum ankle.

In stepped senior Donald Reed II, who hadn’t carried the ball since Week 5, way back on Sept. 27.

Reed’s line Friday night: 21 carries, 126 yards.

“It feels like they trusted me with the biggest job ever,” said Reed.

Lincoln is known for its speed and athleticism, but on Friday night, the Hornets flexed their muscles and played the role of bullies, controlling the ball on the ground, gaining 272 yards on 64 carries.

“You practice physicality, (then) you bring it to the game,” said Reed.

The game was a see-saw, back-and-forth, you score, I’ll score affair. Lincoln never trailed. And yet the Hornets never led by more than eight points.

Wide receiver Courtney Miller-Thompson put Lincoln up 7-0 late in the first quarter, catching a pass in the backfield, making one guy miss in space, then barreling through tacklers at the goal line on a 6-yard catch from quarterback Akili Smith Jr.

Pittsburg tied it 7-7 early in the second quarter on a 47-yard scamper by Jamar Searcy. The Washington State-bound Searcy was the game’s most dominant player, scoring all four of the visitors’ touchdowns on runs covering 47, 2, 1 and 4 yards. He finished with 196 yards rushing on 23 carries and caught five passes for 67 yards.

“He’s a man-child,” said Dunn. “He’s got a very bright future and is going to be a problem.”

Lincoln took a 14-7 lead on a spectacular 13-yard TD catch by Ty Olsen, who dragged one foot just inside the sideline deep in the corner of the end zone before tumbling out of bounds. Searcy’s 2-yard run tied it with 12 seconds to play in the half.

Isaiah Grant gave Lincoln a 21-14 lead when he took a short pass from Smith along the sideline, made one defender miss then booked it down the sideline for a 77-yard score early in the third quarter.

“I just had to make one guy miss and use my speed,” said Grant.

Searcy’s 1-yard run made it 21-20 in the third quarter, but the Pirates missed the extra point.

Smith capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive, all on the ground, by scoring from 7 yards out for a 28-20 lead with 3:44 to play.

The Hornets did not throw the ball often, running 64 times while attempting just 14 passes. But the Oregon-bound Smith made Pittsburg pay when he dropped back, completing 6 of 11 passes for 171 yards and three TDs.

“Akili has grown,” said Dunn. “He understands when to use his arm to make big plays. And when to use his legs.”

Lincoln required overtime to beat Mission Hills 13-7 in the San Diego Section Open Division semifinals and things would get dicey in the state championship. On fourth down at the Lincoln 4, the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Searcy muscled his way into the end zone to make it 28-26 with 1:19 to play.

The Pirates (12-3) gave the ball to Searcy one more time on the two-point-conversion attempt, but he was stopped by Isaiah Bartolome. Pittsburg got the ball back for one play on its 49, but 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore Prince Tavizon iced the game with a sack.

Said Tavizon, “I just had to put my body on the line and finish.”

A season that began in the heat of August ended on a cool December night, 12 days before Christmas. There were two losses, comebacks and too many bus rides to count.

“Playing every game on the road, taking a bus to practice, it’s been hell sometimes,” said Smith. “We’ve stayed on each other’s (butts), pushed each other. It’s a blessing to have all these guys around me. They bought into the cause.”

Defensive tackle Rashad Scott, all 270 pounds of him, was crying almost uncontrollably after the game, his face buried into Dunn’s chest.

“I’m in tears because these are the people I’ve grown up since I was little,” said Scott, a senior. “I feel a big relief, leaving with my brothers, state champions, again. I’m going to remember this moment for the test of my life.”

Then there was the 160-pound Grant, another senior, putting one more state championship into perspective.

“You wanna be a ballplayer,” said Grant, “you gotta go to Lincoln. Through all the trials and tribulations, we’re just gonna play.”

Lincoln 28, Pittsburg 26

Pittsburg 0 14 6  6 — 26

Lincoln 7 7 7 7 — 28

L — Miller-Thompson 6 pass from Smith (Radilla Benavidez kick)

P — Searcy 47 run (Capetillo kick)

L — Olsen 13 pass from Smith (Radilla Benavidez kick)

P — Searcy 2 run (Capetillo kick)

L — Grant 77 pass from Smith Jr. (Radilla Benavidez kick)

P — Searcy 1 run (kick failed)

L — Smith 7 run (Radilla Benavidez kick)

P — Searcy 4 run (run failed)