PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE FOOTBALL : Laguna Hills, Ciska Cruise Past Estancia

Laguna Hills’ 28-7 victory over Estancia Thursday night at Newport Harbor High was about as thorough as it gets.

The Hawks didn’t leave many openings for Estancia to wriggle through. Their offense was unstoppable at times, and their defense didn’t yield much.

Any notion that Pacific Coast League-leading Estancia could stay with Laguna Hills was crushed under the heels of the Hawks’ Dan Ciska, who seemed to be everywhere.

A senior running back and linebacker, Ciska rushed for 123 yards in 19 carries and scored on a 31-yard run in the second quarter. He also had two sacks of Estancia quarterback Matt Johner and made several other key tackles.

“Ciska has started for us for three years,” Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan said. “I can’t tell you a game when he didn’t play with the intensity he had tonight.”

But Bresnahan cautioned against expecting such one-man shows in the future.

“We can’t live with one or two guys carrying us,” he said. “We’re just not built that way.”

Laguna Hills improved to 7-1, 2-1 in league play. Estancia is 4-4, 2-1. The two teams are tied with Trabuco Hills for the league lead.

Laguna Hills’ domination began early, and the Hawks never seemed to let up. Only a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown spoiled a near-flawless night for the Hawks.

Laguna Hills scored on its first two possessions, added a field goal and led, 17-7, by halftime.

Quarterback Justin Vedder scored on a five-yard run with 4 minutes 31 seconds left in the first quarter. Ciska added a 31-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter, and Ryan Miller kicked a 37-yard field goal with 3:49 left in the half.

Estancia’s only score happened when Miller’s punt was blocked by Cody Charley and returned 23 yards for a touchdown by Oscar Lomeli.

From then on, Estancia dominated.

After a scoreless third quarter, Miller kicked a 29-yard field goal less than three minutes into the fourth, and Rick Stilson returned a fumble 32 yards for the game’s final touchdown.

Laguna Hills also intercepted three Johner passes--Nate Kim had two and Fred Kim one.

Estancia managed only 27 yards passing and 67 rushing. Laguna Hills threw for 149 yards, as Vedder completed seven of eight passes, and ran for 192.

“Justin was efficient and the running game gave us some time-consuming drives,” Bresnahan said. “And that was important.”