Injuries Hobble Breakers
An overflow crowd at Guyer Field joined the homecoming celebration last Friday at Laguna Beach High School, where pre-game activities honored Laguna’s 12 football league championships. Three members from the 1936 squad of 74 years ago participated, but the 2010 season will not add a 13th title to the list.
Calvary Chapel’s Eagles shook Laguna 42-27. The Breakers have yet to play a contest this season with all their skilled players healthy at the same time and this game was no exception. The team welcomed back Michael Hyden to the line-up, but missed Robert Clemons III, who skipped the game due to a concussion. The Breaker injury list now includes defending league MVP Chris Paul, who left the game second quarter with a slight shoulder separation that may sideline him for a few games.
The contest opened with Calvary (5-1, 2-0) marching 81 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead after five minutes. Laguna’s first possession seemed to be driving for a score, but the team was unable to move beyond the Calvary 27 yard mark with three consecutive incomplete pass plays. After holding the Eagles on downs, Breakers appeared to be driving when Calvary picked off a pass for an uncontested interception return to extend their lead to 14-0. Undaunted, Laguna drove 78 yards to finally score off an 18-yard pass play to Chris Paul, his 35th receiving touchdown of his career. The catch resulted in Paul landing hard on his shoulder and he exited the game a few plays later.
Laguna tried to get back in the game in the third quarter, pulling within seven points at 21-14 on a Michael Hyden score but Calvary was able to take advantage of Laguna’s weakened defense to score on their next three possessions. The second half highlight for the Breakers was Norton Penney Jr’s 97-yard kickoff return, third longest in school history.
Breakers need to be patient this Friday night when they host Godinez (4-3, 1-1) in Laguna’s last chance to get back in the playoff race. Expect a balanced Laguna attack as they attempt a third consecutive victory over the Grizzlies.
2010 Game # 7 Statistics
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Laguna Beach 7 13 7 0 27
Calvary Chapel 14 7 15 6 42
C – 4 run (kick)
C – 43 Interception return (kick)
L – Paul 18 pass from Paxson (Paxson kick)
C – 8 pass (kick)
L – Hyden 2 run (Paxson kick)
C – 47 pass (kick)
L – Clawson 12 pass from Paxson (kick failed)
C – 15 run (pass)
C – 2 run (pass failed)
L – Penney 97 kick off return (Paxson kick)
LB CC/SA
1st Downs 22 20
Rush/Yds 33-154 30-194
Pass Yds 237 239
C-A-I 16-39-2 17-23-0
Plays/TYG 72-391 53-433
Fumbles/Lost 1-0 1-0
Return Yds 12 43
Punts/Ave 0-0 2-31.5
Penalties/Yds 4-25 3-25
Individual Statistics:
Rushing: Hyden 16-77, Penney 12-75, Paul 2-28, Paxson 3-(26)
Receiving: Penney 5-78, Hayden 3-22, Clawson 3-24, Reigel 3-50, Paul 1-18, Stewart 1-45
Passing: Paxson 38-16-2 237 yards, 2 TDs 101.3 rating Stewart 1-0-0
Punt Returns: Penney 1-12
Kickoff Returns: Penney 2-124, Paul 3-55