Laguna Hills Defense Ousts Pacifica

It’s clear that Steve Bresnahan, Laguna Hills football coach, expected to win games with his offense.

But it was the defense that caused five turnovers and held back Pacifica, 20-10, in a Southern Section Division VIII second-round playoff game Friday at Bolsa Grande High.

Fourth-seeded Laguna Hills (11-1) advances to the semifinals against the winner of Rancho Alamitos and Covina Northview, which play tonight at Bolsa Grande.

Bresnahan quickly complemented the defense, then turned his ire toward his offense.

The unit struggled the entire game, mostly because of the inspired play of Pacifica. But there were also three dropped passes as part of a one-for-10 performance from quarterback Tommy Banning. The Hawks were also called for 85 yards in penalties.

“I was looking for consistency and efficiency from our offense,” Bresnahan said, “and we got neither. . . . I’m just really frustrated with the offense. When we needed a big play, we seemed to go backward because of a penalty or some other mistake. I thought they were ready to play.”

The two biggest plays of the game didn’t come from the offense, which is led by senior tailback Michael Jones, who had 153 yards and two touchdowns. Jones increased his Orange County all-time rushing record to 6,624 yards.

The first vital play was turned in by junior Ryan Johnson. Pacifica’s Frankie Morieda scored from a yard on fourth down to give the Mariners a 10-7 lead with two minutes three seconds left in the third quarter.

But the cheering from the Pacifica fans was suddenly silenced when Johnson picked up a short kick and sliced through the Pacifica line and ran 40 yards before being stopped at the Pacifica six.

Jones ran twice for five yards and quarterback Tommy Banning pushed in from the one on third down and Laguna Hills led, 14-10, with 35 seconds left in the half.

Pacifica reached deep and put together a solid drive, reaching the Laguna Hills 12.

But Laguna Hills defensive back Nick Harvey blitzed on third down and hit quarterback Brent Kirkland from behind, knocking the ball loose.

Defensive lineman Miguel Thibodeau fell on the loose ball for Laguna Hills with 7:24 left.

Pacifica turned the ball over on downs after a sack by Laguna Hills’ Mike Seeley on its next possession. Laguna Hills took over at the Pacifica 19 and Jones carried three consecutive times, scoring from four yards, and Laguna Hills led, 20-10, with 2:25 left.

Pacifica’s final drive ended on an interception by Harvey. Linebacker Anthony Daye and defensive back Dustin Mang had the other interceptions for Laguna Hills.

Pacifica, which had upset Laguna Hills in the first round last season, ends 7-3-2.

“The physical effort was just superb,” Pacifica Coach Bill Craven said. “Our kids were ready to play and were emotionally prepared. We just had a couple of breakdowns. That’s kind of been the story of our season.”