Estancia (4-2) played like a section favorite as their defense stopped Laguna’s offense at critical moments and defeated the Breakers 35-14 last Friday before an overflow crowd at Guyer Field.
The Eagles opened the contest going 75 yards in 11 plays for the first score. Laguna (5-1) seemed to contain Estancia when they completed a third down with a 13-yard screen pass play that went for 45 yards. It still took the Eagles four plays to go the final yard to score.
Breakers came back, scoring in eight plays. Travis Clawson took a 30-yard pass from Larry Stewart with one hand and ran the remaining way for the score. Estancia responded with another 11-play drive to score on the first play of the second quarter.
Nathan Lancaster appeared to take the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for a score, but the Breakers were flagged for holding on a player encounter unrelated to the return. A review of the game video gives the impression of a defensive hold, unfortunately not the infraction ruled at the game. Breakers were stopped after six plays and forced to punt. Estancia came back with a 13-play drive for a 21-7 lead.
Laguna still fought and gained good field position off a Lancaster 26 yard return. Norton Penney had a 26-yard run followed by a 10-yard play by Stewart, an Estancia penalty for 15, capped with Drake Martinez going the final yards for the score.
Estancia failed to advance past mid-field giving Laguna a chance to tie the score before halftime. A key play was a fourth down option pass from Penney to Robbie McInerny for 30-yards. Breakers made it to the two-yard line but could not punch the ball in as time expired, leaving the field somewhat deflated.
In the second half, Laguna had two possessions before Estancia put the game away. On the opening series, Breakers fumbled a first down play on Estancia’s 41-yard line that helped to kill the possession that ended in a punt. On their second try, the Breakers fell a yard short on a fourth and two play on their own 31-yard line.
Estancia scored on their next two possessions while the Eagles defense stopped Laguna twice on their only tries. Laguna made it into the Eagle’s territory on their 36-yard line and on the only fourth period drive that reached the Eagle 2.
Breakers know what it will now take to make a playoff run. Laguna’s next home game on Friday, Nov. 4, will be with Costa Mesa (5-1) an equally challenging opponent averaging 44 points a game.
Breakers faced Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana (3-3) last night at Estancia’s Scott Field. The teams had one common opponent – Ocean View that Laguna defeated 73-40 on Sept. 16. The Seahawks defeated Calvary 62-34 .
Records watch: Drake Martinez has 950 season rushing yards good for eight all-time just behind Bill O’Brien (1956) at 1,010. Norton Penney has 536 yards good for 18th on the list. Martinez has 16 touchdowns this season, just four behind the school record of 20 shared by O’Brien and Donelle Darling (2001). Robbie Mcinerny is second in season kick scoring with 39 points, just 10 behind the school record held by Jason Crabb (1987)
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
||
Estancia |
7 |
14 |
7 |
7 |
35 |
Laguna Beach |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
E – 2 run (Kick) 6:59 1st Q
L – Clawson 38 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 3:49 1st Q
E – 5 run (Kick) 11:56 2nd Qtr
E – 12 run (Kick) 4:22 2nd Q
L – Martinez 22 run (McInerny kick) 3:40 2nd Q
E – 1 run (Kick) 3:27 3rd Q
E – 2 run (Kick) 9:21 4th Q
LB |
Estancia |
|
1st Downs |
19 |
28 |
Rush/Yds |
33-138 |
62-402 |
Pass Yds |
184 |
98 |
C-A-I |
10-22-0 |
6-11-0 |
Plays/TYG |
55-322 |
73-500 |
Fumbles/Lost |
2-0 |
1-1 |
Return Yds |
0 |
0 |
Punts/Ave |
2-32.0 |
0-0 |
Penalties/Yds |
7-70 |
9-93 |
Rushing: Martinez 13-89, Penney 9-43, Clemons 5-16, Coury 1-1, Stewart 5-(11)
Receiving: Clemons 3-34, Reigel 3-41, Clawson 2-56, Martinez 1-30, McInerny 1-30
Passing: Stewart 9-21-0, 154 yards, 1TD 120.2 rating, Penney 1-1-0 30 yards 352 rating Overall rating 126.2
Kick-Off Returns : Lancaster 5- 113, Penney 1-34 Punts: Iannotti 2-64 32.0