Jones Ensures Laguna Hills’ Victory

Laguna Hills tried to kick the game away to Trabuco Hills, but sophomore running back Mike Jones wouldn’t let it happen. Laguna Hills kicker Kevin McCaffrey missed two field goals and an extra point, but Jones ran for 197 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hawks to a 23-17 victory Thursday night at Trabuco Hills.

Jones, who led the county in rushing after a 234-yard performance in the opener, started slowly but by the third quarter, he was carrying many Trabuco Hills’ defenders on his back. He scored both of his touchdowns in the second quarter of runs of two and 61 yards. He also ran for a two-point conversion after the 61-yard run.

“When I get tired, I play harder,” said Jones, who left the game briefly in the fourth quarter because of a sprained ankle.

Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan could only marvel at what his sophomore back has accomplished in two games.

“He’s a fine back and when he’s done he’ll be the best back in Laguna Hills history,” Bresnahan said. “He’s got very good leg strength. When he gets stronger, he’ll be that much better.”

Laguna Hills (1-1) didn’t need Jones much in its winning scoring drive, thanks a poor punt from Trabuco Hills. With the score tied, 17-17, Laguna Hills’ Dustin Mang returned a short Trabuco Hills punt 23 yards to the Mustang 37. Quarterback Cory Pardoe scored seven plays later on a two-yard sneak with a 90 seconds left. The conversion failed when Pardoe’s pass off a fake kick fell incomplete.

A short kick and a facemask penalty on the return gave Trabuco Hills (0-2) the ball at Laguna Hills’ 39. The Mustangs reached the Laguna Hills 16, but Tom Lindow’s pass was intercepted by Jeff Von Pohlmann in the end zone.

Laguna Hills might have had more breathing room, but McCaffrey missed field goals of 20 and 26 yards and an extra point. However it was McCaffrey’s 27-yard field goal with 7:18 left in the game that tied the score at 17.

“Kevin McCaffrey is a fine kicker,” Bresnahan said. “He’s going to be our kicker. He just had a couple bad kicks.”

Trabuco Hills, which is still looking for its first victory under new Coach Bill Crow, was led by sophomore running back Chris Lewis, who rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown in 20 carries.