University, Laguna Beach Pig Out--on Pizza, Pasta

The football teams of University and Laguna Beach high schools met on the Artists’ football field Wednesday afternoon. But nobody had a game face on.

Instead of a competition, the players had a picnic. University players decided on Monday they wanted to do something nice for their Laguna Beach peers, several of whom lost their homes in last week’s fire. So the Trojans, who normally have a team dinner every Wednesday night, opted instead for a dual team feast.

Armed with pizza, pasta, salads, brownies and more, University coaches, players and parents drove caravan-style to Laguna Beach High around 4 p.m. The feast, for about 120, began soon after.

Caron Riggs, who helped organize the event, said Rubino’s restaurant donated 15 pizzas, Chicago Chicago offered salads and the Irvine Marriott chipped in dinner rolls. University parents donated spaghetti, drinks and desserts.

“It was quite easy; people were so wonderful,” Riggs said of organizing the dinner in just 48 hours. “It’s a positive for both sides.”

It was also something of an introduction. University joins Laguna Beach in the Pacific Coast League next year.