This Season, Laguna Hills Writes a Different Ending

Last year Laguna Hills entered its final regular-season game undefeated but was beaten by Aliso Niguel for the Pacific Coast League championship and was ousted from the playoffs the next week by Pacifica.

The Hawks had different ideas Thursday. They still have one loss, to Dana Hills, but they didn’t let the league title slip away this time.

On a field better suited for water skiing, Michael Jones carried Laguna Hills to a 34-6 victory in front of about 1,500 at Aliso Niguel.

Jones, the county’s all-time leading rusher, ran for 235 yards in 37 carries. He scored one touchdown rushing, and another receiving. Quarterback Tommy Banning also threw a pass to Saia Makakaufaki, and passed for 143 yards.

And the Hawks (9-1, 5-0), ranked seventh in the county, served notice they will be a tougher playoff foe this time around.

“Last year we might have peaked too soon,” Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan said. “Of course the last two teams we played wound up in the finals, and were quality.

“This time we challenged our defense after the fifth game, and they have responded. We are playing much better defense this time around.”

The Hawks nearly posted their third consecutive shutout until Wolverine running back Nathan Eggins broke loose for a 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Aliso Niguel (4-6, 3-2), the defending Division VIII champion, rebounded from a 1-4 nonleague schedule to win three of its last four and secure a playoff berth. But Laguna Hills held Aliso Niguel to 80 total yards.

“We do have a future,” Aliso Niguel Coach Joe Wood said. “And we are going to the playoffs. I am proud of these kids. They were 1-9 as freshmen, but they have competed in their senior year.”

Puddles dotted the field, but muddy conditions didn’t hinder Jones, who directly and indirectly accounted for both Laguna Hills touchdowns in the first half.

With their initial drive starting at the 20, the Hawks, led by Jones, moved to the Wolverine 28. On first down, Banning faked to Jones, who was thundering through the middle, while receiver Dustin Mang curled back from the left side and took the handoff, jogging untouched into the end zone.

The Wolverine defense suffered one final lapse, but it was a big one: With 11 seconds left in the half, Banning connected with Jones on a 23-yard touchdown pass, giving Laguna Hills a 14-0 lead.