Laguna remained in the hunt for a D12 playoff spot with a comeback 32-28 victory over Saddleback last Friday night at Segerstrom Field. Breakers were a little sloppy at the beginning allowing the Roadrunners to recover the opening kickoff and scoring on the game’s second play from scrimmage. Laguna then took their first possession 55 yards but had to settle for Noah Handel’s fourth field goal of the season for the Breaker’s first points.
Laguna’s next drive stalled on downs at the Saddleback 2 and their third possession was fumbled deep in Laguna territory with Saddleback returning the fumble to the Breaker 1. The initial quarter ended with a lot of yards gained but a 13-3 deficit.
Laguna did a good job forcing Saddleback to punt all three second period possessions and the Breakers scored on a good seven play drive with Sean Lythgoe scoring the points. On the extra point, the Breakers recovered from a fumbled snap when holder Jack Crawford hit Conner Fink for a surprising two-point conversion to pull Laguna within two points of the host Roadrunners. The teams traded scores in the third period setting up a wild finish.
In the fourth, Laguna scored first on a Curtis Harrison to Adam Armstrong to Sean Nolan hook and ladder play that covered 23 yards for the touchdown culminating an 11 play drive. Saddleback came right back to score on a 13-yard run at 6:17 to take a 28-25 lead. Breakers responded with Sean Nolan taking the kickoff 31 yards to the Saddleback 45. Victor Castillo added four yards, and Kai Ball two before Harrison hit Nolan on a pass play that saw the speedy junior weave through the Saddleback defenders for the winning score. Breakers still had to hold Saddleback on one last drive and were successful after 11 plays stopping the Roadrunners back on the Saddleback 36. It was nervous time at one point when it appeared the hosts connected on a deep pass play only to be penalized for offensive pass interference that was clearly visible to all in attendance.
Laguna must defeat Estancia (3-6) this Friday night, October 27 at Guyer Field and Calvary Chapel (2-6) next week on November 2 at Orange Coast College for a spot. CIF will take all D12 teams that are league champs and fill the remaining spots for the 16-team field with teams that finish second in league.
Career Records Update: Curtis Harrsion is third in career total offense at 4,060 yards just behind Pat Wood (4,189) and Austin Paxson (5,004). He is second in passing yards with 3,613 well behind Paxson’s 5,245. Receiver Adam Armstrong has 76 career catches ranking sixth, while receiver Sean Nolan checks in with 65—good for an eighth place tie with Jake Wheeler (2002-03).
