Laguna Hills’ Switches Gear to Power Late Comeback

With its conservative, ball-control offense, the Laguna Hills football team wasn’t supposed to be able to rally from a 24-9 fourth-quarter deficit against Lakewood Artesia Friday night.

But the Hawks did.

Quarterback Justin Vedder scored on a one-yard run with 53 seconds remaining, capping a 19-point fourth quarter as the Hawks rallied for a 28-24 victory in a Southern Section Division VIII first-round game at Artesia.

Laguna Hills (9-2), the Division VII champion last season, advanced to the second round against second-seeded San Marino, which beat Verbum Dei.

“I respect Artesia’s offense,” Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan said. “But for us to come back with our ball-control offense is gratifying.”

Artesia, led by quarterback Aaron Flowers’ 311 yards passing, drove to the Laguna Hills 29-yard line with five seconds left, but Laguna Hills defensive back Matt Stilson knocked down a Flowers pass as time expired.

Laguna Hills capitalized on an Artesia gamble and fumble in the fourth quarter.

A four-yard touchdown run by Laguna Hills’ Fred Kim cut the deficit to 24-15 with 10:41 left. Then Artesia gambled by going for a first down on a fourth and six from its 41. Flowers scrambled for only five yards and Laguna Hills got the ball at the Pioneer 46.

Six plays later, Dan Ciska, who led Laguna Hills in rushing with 90 yards, scored on a five-yard run. Ryan Miller’s extra-point cut Artesia’s lead to 24-22 with 5:25 left.

Artesia appeared to be on its way to the clinching score, but two big defensive plays by Kim turned the game around.

Flowers threw to a wide-open Gabe Aguiano, who ran 55 yards to the Laguna Hills’ eight before Kim hit him from behind. The ball squirted loose, and Kim pounced on it in the end zone for a touchback, giving Laguna Hills the ball at its 20 with 2:38 left.

The Hawks marched 80 yards in eight plays, highlighted by a 39-yard pass from Vedder to Ryan Geyer. Vedder plunged across from the one to put the Hawks ahead to stay.

Laguna Hills rushed for 311 yards.