Laguna Hills’ 35-Point Blitz Buries Estancia

Laguna Hills unleashed an offensive flurry in the first half that sent Estancia reeling to its sixth loss in a row.

Quarterback Justin Vedder threw for four touchdowns and ran for another as Laguna Hills rolled to a 48-15 homecoming victory over Estancia in a Pacific Coast League game Saturday night at Mission Viejo High.

The Hawks (5-3, 1-2) spotted the Eagles a touchdown and quickly turned the contest into a rout with a 35-point scoring blitz within an 11-minute span of the first half.

Estancia (1-7, 0-3) scored first. Pedro Arceyut recovered a fumble by Fred Kim on Laguna Hills’ first play at the Estancia 45. Two plays later, quarterback Mike Gomez hit David Barnhill for a 56-yard touchdown pass and 7-0 lead after just 2 minutes 39 seconds.

Kim, who scored three times, rushed for 156 yards in 21 carries and caught two passes for 65 yards, quickly atoned for his error. On Laguna Hills’ next possession, Kim’s 71 yards rushing, including a 47-yarder, keyed a 76-yard, six-play drive. Vedder’s five-yard scoring pass to Marcus Elliott cut Estancia’s lead to 7-6.

Vedder’s 12-yard run gave Laguna Hills a 14-7 lead with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. With 29 seconds left in the quarter, Kim scored on a two-yard run for a 21-7 lead.

The Hawks added two touchdowns in the second quarter. Vedder found Rick Stilson for a 19-yard scoring pass with eight minutes remaining in the first half. Then Vedder connected with Kim on a 46-yard touchdown pass less than two minutes later for a 35-7 lead. Kim scored again on Laguna Hills’ opening drive of the second half.