Laguna steals the show at new stadium
Laguna officially earned its first win over Irvine’s University High in 28 seasons with a sound 32-7 victory spoiling the inaugural contest at their rival’s new on-campus stadium.
LBHS Assistant Coach Spencer Harrell reminded the squad Laguna did defeat the Trojans in overtime back when he played in 2004, but the team was forced to forfeit the contest due to new players not meeting CIF eligibility guidelines. Counting that loss, Laguna went through 14 consecutive defeats since a 1985 win that featured running back Jonathan Todd and last season’s tie.
Laguna accepted Harrell’s challenge and left no doubt about this year’s contest, dominating play despite three fumbles. Most of the Trojan offense was generated after the Breakers had built a 20-0 lead.
Laguna started the game with Nathan Lancaster returning the kickoff 34 yards to the Laguna 44. Breakers drove to the Uni 29 before the ball fell out of Jack Simon’s hand, giving the hosts the ball on their 41 yard line. Unable to get a first down, the Trojans punted. A fumble stalled the Laguna drive and Jack Simon was forced to punt. University’s fumbled return was recovered by Andres DeLaRosa, setting up Laguna’s third possession in mid-field. Only five plays later, DeLaRosa scampered 35 yards for the first score. Laguna scored again on their next possession going 61 yards in 10 plays with a 20-yard pass play to Keaton Martinez the big play of the effort.
Lancaster kicked off and drilled a line drive that went 10 yards before ricocheting off the surprised University players back to the waiting hands of Laguna. Two plays later, Ethan Chesley ran 40 yards for the touchdown joining his father Kent ‘86 and grandfather Tom ’61 as a three generation family scoring a touchdown for Laguna.
The second half opened with University fumbling the ball on their second play. On Laguna’s second play, Lancaster ran 16 yards to make it 26-0. Breakers were very effective in limiting University’s ability to pass, forcing the hosts to keep their game on the ground and running down the clock. Laguna scored on their only possession of the fourth quarter when they recovered a fourth down fumble on the Laguna four yard line. Breakers went 96 yards in six plays capped by a classic 54-yard scamper by Lancaster as he continues to climb the top-10 career charts for Laguna players.
This week the Breakers host Rancho Dominguez Prep Friday night at Guyer Field. The Lobos lost to Verbum Dei 62-12 but beat Hollywood 26-16 last Friday and they compete in the Coliseum League with Manual Arts, Dorsey, Locke, Crenshaw, and West Adams Prep. Laguna has never played a city of Los Angeles school in football.
2013 GAME # 3 STATISTICS
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
||
|
Laguna Beach |
7 |
13 |
6 |
6 |
32 |
|
University |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
L – DeLaRosa 35 run (Lancaster kick) 5:03 1st Q
L – DeLaRosa 7 run (Lancaster kick) 10:25 2nd Q
L – Chesley 40 run (kick hit goal post) 8:55 2nd Q
L – Lancaster 16 run (run failed) 10:57 3rd Q
U – 26 run (kick) 0:47 3rd Q
L – Lancaster 54 run (kick blocked) 3:45 4th Q
|
LB |
Uni |
|
|
1st Downs |
15 |
16 |
|
Rush/Yds |
43-305 |
51-234 |
|
Pass Yds |
30 |
33 |
|
C-A-I |
3-6-0 |
6-18-1 |
|
Plays/TYG |
49-335 |
69-267 |
|
Fumbles/Lost |
8-3 |
4-3 |
|
Return Yds |
9 |
7 |
|
Punts/Ave |
3-30.7 |
2-38.5 |
|
Penalties/Yds |
7-55 |
5-40 |
Rush: Lancaster 18-184, Chesley 8-62, Martinez 4-17, DeLaRosa 4-71,
Simon 7-(31), French 1-2, Team 1-0
Rec: Hampton 2-10, Martinez 1-20
Pass: Jack Simon 6-3-0 30 yards, 0 TDs rating – 92.0
IR: Jake Smith 1-9
PR: none
KOR: Jake Smith 1-41, Nathan Lancaster 1-34
Punt: Simon 3-92 30.7 average
Pass defense efficiency rating: 37.6
RECORDS:
Milestones
Nathan Lancaster Career:
Career Rushing – 6th at 146 rushes for 1,867 yards
Career yards per carry – 1st at 12.8 yards
Career touchdowns – 6th at 29
Career rushing touchdowns – 4th at 24
Career scoring – 6th at 182 points
