Mistakes Cost Estancia Shot at Championship

With the Pacific Coast League title on the line Friday night against Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo High, Estancia Coach John Liebengood knew mistakes would be magnified.

“We know we can’t turn the ball over,” Liebengood said before the game. “You just can’t do that against good football teams.”

But the Eagles had three turnovers--leading to nine Laguna Hills points--as the Hawks won, 16-0.

The loss cost Estancia (6-3-1, 3-2) the league’s top seeding for the playoffs and put a playoff berth in jeopardy. Laguna Hills (6-3-1, 4-1) earned the No. 2 seeding after matching Trabuco Hills’ league record but losing head-to-head.

Century can tie Estancia at 3-2 with a victory over Laguna Beach tonight, and both would then be waiting for a possible at-large invitation Sunday. Century won head-to-head, 13-7.

Laguna Hills went ahead to stay in the first quarter on a 14-yard run by Dave Webber, his first of two touchdowns, following a Sergio Jimenez fumble recovery at the Estancia 38.

The Hawks went up, 9-0, before halftime. Estancia had driven 79 yards in 10 minutes and faced a fourth and goal at the Laguna Hills six when Fred Kim picked off a Matt Johner pass in the end zone and raced 75 yards down the sidelines, leading to a field goal.

Johner was victimized by two interceptions and seven sacks. Despite edges in possession time (27:48-10:12) and yardage (242-177), the Eagles couldn’t execute when it was time to score.

“Our defense did exactly what we wanted them to do,” Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan said.