PREP FOOTBALL : Ocean View Gets Close Before Losing

Estancia’s winning streak continued, as did Ocean View’s losing streak, as the Eagles won, 14-3, in a nonleague football game Thursday at Newport Harbor High.

It was the third consecutive victory for Estancia (3-1), after a nine-game losing streak. Ocean View (0-4) has lost 33 in a row, the longest streak in California.

Ocean View still had a chance in the fourth quarter but failed on a fourth down at the Estancia 20. The drive had already been helped by three 15-yard penalties against Estancia.

Ocean View faced a fourth and one when quarterback Ted Norman faked a handoff inside and started a bootleg to the left. But Estancia defensive back Karlo Amaya read the play and tackled Norman for a three-yard loss.

Estancia then went on a 14-play drive but faced a key fourth-down play of its own.

The Eagles were on the Ocean View one with 1 minute 49 seconds left, leading, 7-3. Instead of going for the field goal, Estancia Coach John Liebengood elected to try for the touchdown. Oscar Lomeli, behind a strong surge of the offensive line, scored with ease.

Lomeli finished with 70 yards in 13 carries and teammate Bachy Gonzalez had a game-high 106 yards in 19 attempts.

“The bottom line is the win,” Liebengood said. “We’ve just got to keep building because our toughest games are ahead.”

Ocean View appeared headed to the locker room at halftime with a 3-0 lead only to have disaster strike. Jon Dempsey kicked a 21-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the half.

But Estancia’s Chris Felix took the following kickoff and cut to the left sideline and finished with a 76-yard return for a touchdown.