Hill Ties VanHoorebeke’s Mark as Loara Rallies to Beat Cypress

Loara High School beat Cypress, 14-6, and Herb Hill, the winning coach, tied a coaching legend Thursday night at Western High.

Neither accomplishment was celebrated with much fanfare. The 1,200 fans seemed underwhelmed by the proceedings. Maybe it was because Loara didn’t give them much to be excited about.

The Saxons overcame a sluggish start to rally for a victory over their Empire League rival, extending their record to 7-1-1 overall, 3-1 in league play.

The victory was No. 190 for Hill, tying him with the late Clare VanHoorebeke for the Orange County record for career coaching victories. VanHoorebeke coached at Anaheim for 23 seasons, posting a 190-49-10 record and advancing to the Southern Section playoffs 17 times. He died in 1978, six years after retiring.

A victory next week over El Dorado in the regular-season finale would give Hill, who has announced his retirement after 28 seasons at Loara, the county record.

Hill has downplayed his achievement this season, but Thursday he smiled broadly as he accepted handshakes and hugs from the Loara staff and players.

“It’s nice to beat Cypress,” he said in typically humble fashion. “It’s just one of those things. Van was a friend of mine. I’m proud of that (tying VanHoorebeke’s record). I’m proud I’ve been able to do something over the long haul.

“I guess I stayed around long enough to do it.”

Hill’s record at Loara and Rancho Alamitos, where he spent three seasons, stands at 190-113-11.

For a while Thursday, it appeared Cypress would win and keep Hill waiting for his record-tying win.

Cypress (4-5, 1-3) took the opening kickoff and drove for a touchdown. Quarterback Bobby Hubbard threw a six-yard scoring pass to Kevin Smith and Cypress led, 6-0. Hubbard completed 12 of 28 passes for 165 yards.

“We were out of sync that first drive,” Hill said. “After that first drive we were OK.”

Loara took the ensuing kickoff and went 69 yards in four plays to score the only points it would need.

Quarterback Sean Conner faked a pitch to running back Coy Collins on a second-down play at the Cypress 35. The defense went to Collins, Conner kept the ball and raced 35 yards for the touchdown. Chris Hoffman kicked the extra point for a 7-6 lead.

Collins rushed for 178 yards and an insurance touchdown in the third quarter in 29 carries. Conner added 144 yards in 13 carries.