Aliso Niguel Stays Undefeated With Rout of Estancia

Aliso Niguel’s 40-8 victory Thursday over Estancia wasn’t a football game as much as it was a hazing.

It was 13-0 before the Eagles ran an offensive play.

It was 26-0 before the Eagles got their first first down with 10 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter.

It was an Eagle runner breaking into the open field and tripping without a defender touching him.

It was a fumbled snap at the one-yard line to prevent the Eagles from scoring a touchdown at the end of their best drive of the night (52 yards).

It was . . . unfair.

Estancia Coach John Liebengood says Aliso Niguel and Laguna Hills, the two unbeaten teams in the Pacific Coast League, are “in a league by themselves.”

Well, Aliso Niguel made its case in the first half, taking a 40-0 lead.

The Wolverines (8-0, 3-0 in league), play Laguna Hills in two weeks.

It was Estancia’s third consecutive loss after five victories.

Thursday’s loss was made worse by Wilson Argueta’s seizure on the sideline in a quiet, nearly empty stadium at Newport Harbor. With about 150 fans in the Estancia stands, Argueta came off the field after being hit. His convulsive shaking while laying on a sideline bench was a scary sight.

Newport Beach Fire Dept. personnel tended to him while the teams continued playing. He was finally removed by ambulance just before the third quarter began. Team doctor Chuck Bellitti, who went to Hoag Hospital with Argueta, said the senior defensive back was to be kept overnight for observation after suffering what will probably be listed as a concussion.

“I’ve been to Hoag five times this season [including Thursday],” Liebengood said. “We’re just trying to get through a game without an injury.”

Aliso Niguel quarterback Wes Thomas had the big offensive night, completing nine of 18 passes for 169 yards and touchdowns of 21 yards to Scott Nemeth, and 42 and 14 yards to Andrew Mashburn. He also threw one interception.

Nemeth, a senior tailback who scored three times, rushed eight times for 32 yards. He carried for five yards to give Aliso Niguel a 7-0 lead, caught the 21-yard pass to make it 13-0, and ran two yards for a 26-0 cushion.

In addition to Mashburn’s touchdown receptions, the former (42 yards) making it 19-0, the latter coming with 19 seconds left in the half, the Wolverines got an 86-yard punt return from John Hefty for a 33-0 lead.

Aliso Niguel outgained Estancia, 212-43, in the first half, holding the Eagles to one-yard rushing--despite their 300-plus average.

The Eagles, who went eight quarters without scoring, scored with 37 seconds left in the game on Chris Felix’s nine-yard touchdown run.