Breakers Clinch League Title: Laguna Routs Grizzlies 42-13

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 16^th 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

G – 22 run (kick failed) 10:07 3^rd Q

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

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

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

G – 15 run (kick) 2:27 4^th Q

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

Milestones:

551 yards Team Total Offense – 4^th highest ever

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

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

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

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

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.

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