DIVISION VII : Laguna Hills Overcomes Play-Calling and St. Monica

Steve Bresnahan hasn’t made too many mistakes while coaching Laguna Hills High School quarterback Casey Sullivan this season. But Bresnahan admitted to a glitch that nearly proved disastrous Friday night.

Sullivan passed for two touchdowns as Laguna Hills held off a fourth-quarter St. Monica rally, 21-17, in the first round of the Division VII playoffs at Mission Viejo.

The Hawks (9-1-1) advance to Friday’s second round against San Marino. St. Monica ended the season at 6-5.

Bresnahan took full blame for giving St. Monica life in the fourth quarter.

Uncomfortable with a 21-7 lead, Bresnahan called for Sullivan to roll out to the left for an option pass. There was only one problem--Laguna Hills was at its three-yard line and Sullivan was sacked for a safety.

After the safety, St. Monica went 41 yards with Na’il Benjamin scoring on a two-yard run that cut the deficit to 21-17 with 6 minutes 19 seconds left to play.

“That was a brilliant call at the three-yard line,” Bresnahan said. “I’ll take credit for that. We were trying to get a big play. It was a gamble call.”

Fortunately for Bresnahan, the Hawks’ defense came up with some big plays in the final four minutes, keeping St. Monica from crossing midfield.

“This wasn’t our best game tonight,” Bresnahan said, “but a lot of that had to do with the fact we were playing a good team.”

No one needed to tell that to Sullivan, who transferred from St. Monica last spring. He completed three of five passes for 80 yards, including touchdowns of 60 and eight yards, against his former teammates.

Running back Marwan Saba added 97 yards in 17 carries and a touchdown.

St. Monica scored on its first possession as James White capped a 17-play, 64-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run.

Laguna Hills tied the score, 7-7, with 1:21 left in the first quarter when Saba scored on a nine-yard run. Saba was a workhorse on the drive, carrying the ball six consecutive times for 59 yards.

The Hawks used a different route to the end zone in the second quarter. Sullivan threw to a wide-open Sergio Jiminez for a 60-yard touchdown pass with 10:23 left in the second quarter.