It’s Not Pretty, but Laguna Hills Beats University

Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan is awaiting the big fall. He sees it coming. And he won’t be surprised when it happens.

After the Hawks’ 20-7 victory Thursday over University (0-2), Bresnahan wasn’t making any victory speeches. Not any real victory speeches, anyway.

“If we don’t improve real quick, I can see real problems,” Bresnahan said after his team improved to 2-0. “And it won’t be any surprise. Our offensive line is supposed to be a strength, and it got beat. Our defensive line is supposed to be a strength, and it got beat. And our skill guys aren’t making the plays.”

Justin Vedder threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Brendan McGraw, and Fred Kim rushed 31 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, but Bresnahan looked beyond the final score.

--Brandon Portnoff twice prevented long touchdown runs, tackling Gene Corey on a 70-yard run, and quarterback Ricco Roberson on a 36-yarder.

--The defense, after the 70-yard run, gave University a first-and-goal from the 10, held as Steve Stand stuffed Jason Dunn on fourth down from the three.

--Roberson had a 70-yard touchdown run nullified by a clipping penalty.

Beyond the stat sheet, this could have been a very different game.

“Portnoff made two good plays, and we had a goal-line stand, but everything in between wasn’t very good,” Bresnahan said.

Roberson was slippery and gained 94 yards, and Corey finished with 119 in 11 carries.

The Trojans scored on their final possession of the game against the first-team defense, scoring on a fourth-and-14 pass from Roberson to Jamie Polidore.

Vedder completed 11 of 20 passes for 176 yards. Laguna Hills outgained University, 329 yards to 316.

Laguna Hills marched downfield on its first possession. The tidy 65-yard drive ended with Vedder’s four-yard pass to McGraw, but it was Kim who deserved the accolades.

He rushed for the first 61 yards of the drive. He finished the half with 16 carries for 81 yards.