Laguna Hills Leads at Half, but Los Amigos Rallies for 28-7 Win

The members of the Laguna Hills High School football team were hoping that Thursday’s game against Los Amigos would provide the proper set of circumstances for their first victory, and an end to a seven-game losing streak spanning two seasons.

After all, it was a home game at Mission Viejo Stadium against one of the less-fearsome opponents on their schedule.

But with friends like Los Amigos, Laguna Hills (0-5) doesn’t need any enemies. Los Amigos (2-2-1) took advantage of five Hawk turnovers, returned the favor only once, and left with a 28-7 victory.

“To be honest, we were thinking that this was a game in which we could definitely be competitive in all aspects,” said Hawk Coach Paul Weinberger, who took over the team before the start of the season.

“I feel for our kids. They’re trying very hard to overcome some bad habits and a lack of success in the past, and they can’t seem to get it. Now that we’re going into (South Coast) league (play), it’s going to be a lot tougher.”

Actually, the game was more competitive than the final score would indicate. Los Amigos’ Vince Bonham, who led the Lobo defense along with end Joe Pati, set up the first touchdown with a fumble recovery at the Laguna Hills 6-yard line late in the first quarter. Lobo quarterback Bill Thompson scored three plays later on a one-yard run, but the kick failed.

The Hawks got their lone touchdown when Phil Colquette capped a 51-yard drive in the second quarter with a five-yard run through the middle. Jeff Tinch’s extra-point kick gave the Hawks a 7-6 halftime lead, causing some students to greet each other at the snack stand in disbelief, exclaiming, “We’re winning!”

It was a novel feeling for Laguna Hills, but it didn’t last.

Just two minutes into the second half, Los Amigos took the lead for good as a pass by Hawk quarterback Pat Buckley, a junior making his first start, was intercepted by Phillip Cordova. The Lobo sophomore, one of three new players pressed into action after Los Amigos’ defensive secondary was leveled by injuries last week, ran 43 yards for a touchdown.

Linebackers Bob Burpe and Chris Hull and defensive back Brian Childers helped Laguna Hills play good enough defense to hold Los Amigos to a 12-7 lead until the fourth quarter. Then John Kuzmic of Los Amigos, the game’s leading rusher with 80 yards on 13 carries, scored one fourth-quarter touchdown and teammate Lito Soifua, who had 9 carries for 78 yards, scored another.