Laguna Hills Makes Passes Count

Steve Bresnahan, Laguna Hills High School football coach, wasn’t pleased with quarterback Casey Sullivan’s completion percentage Thursday night against Garden Grove.

But he can’t fault his quarterback for being unproductive.

Sullivan, a transfer from St. Monica, completed only four of 11 passes for 108 yards, but three completions were for touchdowns as the Hawks’ offense came alive in the second half for a 26-7 victory at Mission Viejo.

Sullivan, a 6-foot-3 senior, threw for two touchdowns in the second half as Laguna Hills outscored Garden Grove, 19-0.

“Casey missed some plays too,” Bresnahan said. “Those touchdowns were big plays, but we missed some (completions) we should have had.”

But Sullivan wasn’t the Hawks’ only scoring weapon.

Running back Marwan Saba got into the act too, rushing for 189 yards in 37 carries and catching a 16-yard touchdown pass from Sullivan in the third quarter.

The Hawks’ defense held Garden Grove to 111 total yards--including minus-28 in the second half--forced a safety and set up two touchdowns for the offense.

“Our defense did a better job than last week (a 10-7 loss to San Clemente),” Bresnahan said. “But we still didn’t play with a whole lot of enthusiasm tonight.”

Garden Grove appeared to be in good shape offensively in the first half.

The Argonauts (1-2) took a 7-0 lead with 1 minute 54 seconds left in the first quarter when quarterback Bob Ioja tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Adrian. A 47-yard run by the Argonauts’ Bob Rosa two plays earlier set up the touchdown.

But Laguna Hills (2-1) answered on the ensuing possession when quarterback Casey Sullivan found tight end Kirk Brown wide open on the right side. Brown outraced two defenders for a 53-yard touchdown. Marc Brodbeck’s extra point tied the score at 7-7.

Laguna Hills wasted little time taking control in the second half. The Hawks took the opening possession 63 yards, capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Sullivan to Saba.