Game Turns on El Toro’s Turnovers

Laguna Hills continued to play its game of take-away as the third-ranked Hawks forced six turnovers during their 42-6 nonleague victory over El Toro Friday at Trabuco Hills High.

Laguna Hills, which has just one turnover this season, forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass in building a 35-6 halftime lead.

Laguna Hills’ only miscue on the night led to El Toro’s only score. A bad snap forced punter Ryan Johnson to a knee and gave El Toro possession at the Hawks’ 39.

El Toro’s Darron Ohlwiler then darted around the right side for a touchdown, cutting the Hawks’ lead to 7-6 late in the first quarter.

Laguna Hills (4-0) then marched 65 yards in eight plays on its next possession, with Michael Jones running the final yard for the score. Jones finished with 169 yards in 22 carries.

Jones has rushed for 5,090 yards in his career, only 307 behind county record-holder Ray Pallares (Valencia, 1983-85).

The Hawks needed only two plays to score on their next possession. Quarterback Tommy Banning hit Jeff Fischer on a 45-yard pass play, then followed with a 16-yard scoring pass to tight end Saia Makakaufaki.

The Chargers (1-3) then turned the ball over for the second time, fumbling at midfield, and three plays later Jones ran 29 yards up the middle for a score, giving Laguna Hills a 28-6 lead with five minutes remaining in the half.

The first of Dustin Mang’s two interceptions set up the Hawks’ final score of the half, a 49-yard run by Jones with 1:34 remaining.