Laguna Hills Runs Over Santiago

MISSION VIEJO — Laguna Hills’ relentless ground game consumed generous portions of yardage and possession time as the Hawks opened their season with a 24-14 nonleague victory over visiting Santiago Thursday night at Mission Viejo High School.

Hawk tailback Dave Webber hammered his way for 132 yards in 25 carries, including Laguna Hills’ first touchdown--a three-yard run in the first quarter. Webber also caught a 17-yard screen pass and returned a kickoff 19 yards to finish the evening with 168 all-purpose yards.

Matt Stillson’s 20-yard reception of Mike Maceranka’s pass in the second quarter and Ryan Geyer’s 27-yard, third-quarter field goal gave the Hawks a 17-0 lead before the Cavaliers finally got their offense untracked.

Santiago quarterback Mike Carrasco, whose touchdown pass and a scoring run were nullified in the third quarter because of holding penalties, hit halfback Jeff Noisy with an 18-yard touchdown pass and Fortino Espinoza with a 48-yard strike in the fourth quarter.

Maceranka, who at safety stopped one Santiago drive with a pass interception in the end zone, put the Hawks ahead, 24-7, when he scooped up Noisy’s fumble and returned it 19 yards for a score.