Breakers Clinch League Title: Laguna Routs Grizzlies 42-13

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Robert Clemons popped out of the Godinez defense to run for 50 yards to set up Laguna’s fifth touchdown.

Laguna (4-0, 8-0-1) went to the air last Friday, Oct. 26, at Guyer Field to defeat a stubborn Godinez squad (3-6, 2-2) and capture the 2012 Orange Coast League title. Breakers last were league champs in 2009 and have now won 13 titles in 78 seasons of competition. More importantly, they have qualified for the playoffs for the 16th time in school history and hope to become only the third team to finish unbeaten in the regular season

Laguna rolled up 551 yards in total offense but two first quarter fumbles kept the score down. Breakers finally got on the board with the period’s final play as Larry Stewart connected with Drake Martinez for a 65-yard scoring pass play. Robbie McInerny’s first of six PAT’s made it 7-0.

Nathan Lancaster uncoiled a 20-yard run on the drive for Laguna’s first touchdown at in the closing seconds of the first quarter.

The Grizzlies then went eight plays on their ensuing drive to open the second quarter before having to punt, pinning Laguna deep in their own field. Larry Stewart hit Dylan Hunter for a quick 18-yard strike then connected with Nathan Lancaster for 73 yards and it was suddenly 14-0. Laguna added another on their only other possession of the second period as Stewart directed the seven-play, 80-yard drive hitting Drake for another score in the closing seconds.

In the third quarter, the Grizzlies rolled on their first possession scoring in six plays. Robert Clemons answered the touchdown with a 50-yard run to make it 28-6. Robbie McInerny picked up his sixth interception of the season to end Godinez’s next possession and Stewart scored to extend the Laguna margin to 35-6. Laguna also scored on their first possession of the fourth period as the bench cleared to finish the game.

The final league game was played this past Thursday with Costa Mesa (2-2, 4-5) at Orange Coast College. The Mustangs beat Laguna 63-47 last year in a contest that saw Stewart throw a school record 413 yards and five touchdowns. Laguna is a stronger defensive team this season and should finally be able to corral Mesa.

Nathan Lancaster breaks a tackle to run for 19 yards to set up Laguna’s first score in the second half. The talented junior is well on his way to have one of the school’s best with over 1,000 career yards.

Playoff pairings will be announced on Sunday on the SSCIF web site and the Breakers will host the opening contest next Friday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. at Guyer Field.

SSCIF Southern Division Rankings for Week 9: 1 – Corona del Mar, 2 – Laguna Beach, 3 – Garden Grove, 4 – Segerstrom, 5 – Katella, 6 – Irvine, 7 – Woodbridge, 8 – Northwood, 9 – Westminster, 10 – Estancia, Santa Ana Valley, Others: Los Amigos, Beckman, University.

 

Statistics – 2012 Game # 9

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

Godinez

0

0

6

7

13

Laguna Beach

7

14

14

7

42

L – Martinez 65 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 0:00 1st Q

L – Lancaster 73 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 5:24 2nd Q

L – Martinez 9 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 0:25 2nd Q

G – 22 run (kick failed) 10:07 3rd Q

L – Clemons 50 run (McInerny kick) 8:40 3rd Q

L – Stewart 8 run (McInerny kick) 2:17 3rd Q

L – Martinez 4 run (McInerny kick) 8:22 4th Q

Drake Martinez – flanked by quarterback Larry Stewart running for blocks – peels off a 65 yard romp to set up Laguna’s first touchdown of the night. This was Drake’s 17th career score on runs or returns of more than 50-yards.

G – 15 run (kick) 2:27 4th Q

 

 

LB

G

1st Downs

21

16

Rush/Yds

31-334

41-230

Pass Yds

217

121

C-A-I

9-13-0

9-15-1

Plays/TYG

44-551

56-351

Fumbles/Lost

2-2

0-0

Return Yds

11

0

Punts/Ave

0-0

4-35.5

Penalties/Yds

3-40

10-80

 

Individual Statistics

Rush:                                    Martinez 12-103, Lancaster 9-118, Clemons 6-92, Stewart 1-8, DelaRosa 2-16, Team 1-(2)

Receiving:                  Martinez 2-74, Hexberg 2-24, Clemons 2-19, Lancaster 1-73,  K. Martinez 1-9, Hunter 1-18

Pass:                                    Stewart 13-9-0 217 yds 3 TDs, 285.6 rating

 

IR:                                    McInerny 1-11

PR:

KOR:                                    Martinez 1-20, Clemons 1-14

Kick Offs:                  McInerny 7 kickoffs, 6 touchbacks

Dylan Hunter gathered in a perfect Larry Stewart strike for a 18 yards and a first down in a key gain on Laguna’s drive for its second touchdown.

 

Milestones:

551 yards Team Total Offense – 4th highest ever

Stewart – Lancaster 73 yard pass play – 15th longest in school history

Robert Clemons is 6th in career receiving catches, 4th in yards, 7th in TDs

Larry Stewart is 9th in career yards, 1st in rating, 2nd in TD passes

Career Scoring: Martinez – 1st, Clemons – 5th, McInerny – 7th, Lancaster – 14th

Martinez: 17 of 57 career TDS have been plays/runbacks of 50 or more yards

Team Season: 15 of 50 scrimmage touchdowns have been 1 play drives (30 %)

 

Season individual offensive statistics can be found at on the Laguna Beach Football page at Maxpreps.com along with videos of many of this season’s big plays.

 

Keaton Martinez grabbed a Larry Stewart strike for a nine yard gain on the way to Laguna’s third touchdown in the first half.

History Note:

The 1968 Artists:  went 9-0 in the regular season defeating Katella, Brea, El Modena, Villa Park, Foothill, Tustin, Orange, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente. Missing key players due to injuries, the squad lost in the second round of the AA Division to Rolling Hills (now Peninsula) to finish 10-1. The squad played before overflow crowds at Guyer Field and was the first Laguna team to win 10 games in a season.

 

The 1946 Artists:

The only other team to finish undefeated in the regular season went 6-0 before beating Corona and Barstow to win the Central Division title.

 

The 1937 Artists :

Went 7-0-2 recording seven straight shutouts before edging Corona 14-12 to complete the year. Corona was coached by Jess Hill who later went on to coach USC (1951-56) and serve as their athletic director.  Laguna also picked up a forfeit win from Valencia in recording their first unbeaten season.

 

Photos by Doug Landrum

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