Smith’s Field Goal and Interception Lead Estancia to Victory

Estancia linebacker and kicker Mike Smith made the biggest plays on offense and defense to give the Eagles a 3-0 nonleague victory over La Quinta Friday night at Bolsa Grande High School.

Smith, a 5-foot-7, 175-pound senior, kicked a 34-yard field goal with 7:10 left in the fourth quarter and Estancia improved to 2-0.

La Quinta (0-2) then drove to the Estancia 10-yard-line, aided by a key fourth-down, seven-yard pass completion from quarterback Kenny Granger to wide receiver Cal Daniels and a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty on another fourth-down play.

Smith came up with his big defensive play when La Quinta had a first-and-goal on the Eagle 10-yard-line. Smith made a diving interception of Granger’s pass on the three-yard line with 2:36 left in the game to end the Aztec threat.

Estancia had quarterback Matt Johner’s 23-yard touchdown run on a keeper in the first quarter nullified by a holding penalty. Eagle tailback Chris Gomez was the top rusher with 134 yards in 25 carries, including 35 yards in four carries during Estancia’s 63-yard scoring drive.