Football (6-2)
The opening Golden West Conference–Pac 4 League contest was delayed Friday night due to lightning and was played Saturday afternoon, Oct. 13, on the worn wet natural grass field at Western High School. Breakers knew they faced a talented squad ranked #1 in D11 and the Pioneers prevailed (7-1) taking advantage of Laguna miscues for the winning edge.
After an exciting first quarter that ended tied 14-14, Breakers blinked first on their first possession of the second quarter when a bad snap on a punt attempt soared over Sean Nolan’s head resulting in a 25-yard loss and a first down for Western on the Laguna 32. Seven plays later, Western scored to take a 21-14 lead. Laguna responded with a 61-yard pass play to Sean Nolan as the teams traded scores. Western sealed their lead for good late in the quarter when a Breaker pass was picked off for an interception return giving the Pioneers a two-score lead at 34-21. The extra point failed for Western when it appeared Hunter Davis just tipped the kick causing it to bounce off the goal post.
The third turnover occurred on the opening kickoff of the second half giving Western the ball in the midfield. Three plays later it was 40-21 after the two-point conversion failed. The Breakers next three possessions gained little yardage and the finals scores came long after the outcome was not in doubt.
Up Next: Senior Night is this Friday, Oct. 19, and the Breakers will battle Ocean View (8-0) at Guyer Field for second place and a top seeding in the playoffs. The Sea Hawks are ranked #2 in D11 but their highest rated opponent so far was Estancia (5-3) a team they beat 35-7 (Laguna’s score was 41-19). Breakers have faced much tougher opponents and should meet the challenge. Laguna should make CIF with a win at Godinez on Oct. 25.
2018 Season Game #8 at Western Statistics:
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||
| Laguna Beach | 14 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Western | 14 | 20 | 6 | 7 | 47 |
W – 35 pass (kick) 1stQ
L – Lythgoe 12 run (Handel kick) 1stQ
L – Lythgoe 11 pass from Johnson (Handel kick) 1stQ
W – 10 pass (kick) 1stQ
W – 10 pass (kick) 2ndQ
L – Nolan 61 pass from Johnson (Handel kick) 2ndQ
W – 20 pass (kick) 2ndQ
W – 27 Interception Return ( kick failed) 2ndQ
W – 45 pass (pass failed) 3rdQ
L – Diver 10 pass from Johnson (Handel kick) 4thQ
W – 15 run (kick) 4thQ
L – Ball 34 pass from Johnson (Handel kick) 4thq
| LB | W | |
| 1st Downs | 20 | 17 |
| Rush/Yds | 28-18 | 25-131 |
| Pass Yds | 292 | 301 |
| C-A-I | 18-38-2 | 18-29-1 |
| Plays/TYG | 65-310 | 54-432 |
| Fumbles/Lost | 3-2 | 2-1 |
| Return Yds | 23 | 61 |
| Punts/Ave | 4-48 | 4-38.3 |
| Penalties/Yds | 3-25 | 12-125 |
Rushing: Lythgoe 14-95, Johnson 12-(49), Harper 1-(3), Team 1-(25)
Receiving:Nolan 4-119, Ball 4-85, Diver 4-45, Crawford 2-23, Lythgoe 3-19, Villalobos 1-1
Passing: Johnson 37-18-2 292 yards 4TDs 139.8 rating YTD 141.6 Team 1-0-0
Interception Returns: Harper 1-0
Punt Returns: Nolan 2-23
Kick Off Returns:Ball 1-6
Punts: Nolan 4-191 48.0
Kick Offs: Handel 6, 1 touchback 2 on-side
Pass defense rating[NCAA formula]: 199.30, YTD = 128.20
A Bit of History:
Last day game was Sept. 9, 2017 at Big Bear. Last postponed game was Oct. 26, 2007 vs. Costa Mesa due to air quality. Last 2 p.m. kickoff was Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003 at Tesoro.
Milestones:
Andrew Johnson is second in season TD passes with 25, record is 26. He is 7thin season yards at 1,955, record is 2,303, 4thin attempts, 4thin completions Johnson should become only the 5thperson in Laguna history to throw for over 2,000 yards in a season at Friday’s game.
Sean Nolan ranks 5thin career scoring, 2ndin career touchdown receptions, 2ndin career catches.
SSCIF D12 Poll for Oct. 16: 1 – Linfield Christian (7-1), 2 – Santa Clarita Christian (6-2), 3 – Laguna Beach (6-2), 4 – Bellflower (6-2), 5 – Ramona (6-2), 6 – Rio Hondo Prep (5-2), 7 – Northwood (6-2), 8 – Tahquitz (6-2), 9 – Xavier Prep (4-4), 10 – Glenn (4-3)
