LBHS Playoff Hopes End
Laguna’s last chance to earn a playoff spot ended last Friday night at Guyer Field as the Breakers were unable to hold off a surging Godinez comeback in a wild 48-41 loss.
Laguna, playing with their healthiest backfield of the season, looked like the team expected all year. They rolled up a 34-20 halftime advantage, scoring on all five first half possessions. The Grizzlies (5-3, 2-1) came out in the second half with a smart, run-oriented ground attack that went 74 yards in 15 plays to pull within seven points using most of the period’s clock.
The Breakers (1-7, 0-3) looked like they were going to match the score as Norton Penney Jr. got off a long run, but a questionable holding call buried Laguna. The ensuing pass plays were incomplete, forcing the home team to punt. Grizzlies then took only five plays to tie the game near the end of the quarter and momentum was lost by the hometown Maroons.
The contest had opened with Laguna scoring on a four-play, 76 yard drive highlighted by a big run by Penney and two successive plays to Zach Jaffe. Godinez responded in a two-play drive but missed the extra point and Laguna came right back with a big play of their own as Robert Clemons took a short pass before streaking to the end zone. Godinez capped the first quarter with a 10-play drive to tie the score at 13 after one period.
In the second quarter, the Breakers looked like they were going to dominate the contest as Penney forced then recovered a Godinez fumble, setting up Laguna’s third score of the period. At the intermission it seemed the home team had all the momentum entering the halftime locker room with the big lead and dominating second quarter play.
The two teams had almost 1,000 yards in combined offense and the combined score was the third highest in 76 seasons of Laguna football. Most of Laguna’s highlights were in the first half as Jaffe made some early big plays and Larry Stewart three amazing catches. Penney was strong running outside while Michael Hyden pounded out the yardage on his six carries. Robert Clemons III showed his speed with two stellar touchdown plays. The defense missed Chris Paul who may return this Friday at Costa Mesa.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Godinez 13 7 14 14 – 48
Laguna Beach 13 21 0 7 – 41
L – Penney 2 run (Paxson kick)
G – 28 Pass (kick failed)
L – Clemons 53 pass from Paxson (kick failed)
G – 25 pass (kick)
L – Hyden 10 run (Paxson kick)
L – Penney 58 run (Paxson kick)
G – 74 run (kick)
L – Reigel 9 pass from Paxson (Paxson kick)
G – 10 run (kick failed)
G – 6 run (Pass)
G – 3 run (kick)
G – 39 Interception return (kick)
L – Clemons 38 pass from Oaxson (Paxson kick)
LB Godinez
1st Downs 16 21
Rush/Yds 19-203 53-372
Pass Yds 225 131
C-A-I 12-25-2 5-8-0
Plays/TYG 31-428 61-503
Fumbles/Lost 0-0 2-1
Return Yds -3 66
Punts/Ave 2-37.5 1-35
Penalties/Yds 8-55 7-55
Individual statistics
Rushing : Penney 8-83, Hyden 6-39, Clemons 3-29, Jaffe 1-45, Paxson 1-7
Receiving : Clemons 4-102, Reigel 4-52, Stewart 3-60, Jaffe 1-11
Passing : Paxson 25-12-2 225 yards, 3 TD’s 147.2 rating
Punt Return : Clemons 1 – (3)
Kick Off Returns : Penney 3-90, Clemons 1-9
Punting : Paxson 2-74 yards 37.0 average
Records:
Austin Paxson set the career total offense record at 4,407 yards breaking Pat Wood’s record of 4,189 set in 1992-93. Austin now has 671 plays, 4,407 yards, 58 touchdowns responsible for in his three year career.
Godinez game combined score , 89 points tied for 3rd all-time, Breakers 34 first half points – tied for 7th all-time
