Chavez Keeps Going (and Going) in Victory

Loara running back Billy Chavez might answer to the name David Copperfield after the magic show he put on Friday night at Glover Stadium.

He looked like he was down, but his legs kept moving and his arms pumping on the way to a first down. He looked like he was out of bounds, but somehow managed to stay in, tiptoeing down the sideline for extra yardage.

Chavez’s most impressive act came with the Saxons’ first-round Division VI playoff game against Laguna Hills on the line. Chavez looked like he was going to be stopped for short yardage twice on the same play, but he squirmed free each time on the way to a 20-yard touchdown with 1:49 remaining that gave Loara a 28-21 victory over the Hawks.

“You give him a little crack and he makes it happen,” said Loara Coach John deFries. “You think he’s down and he keeps going. He did a great job.”

Chavez finished with 159 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 33 carries. He also made a touchdown reception.

The Saxons (9-2) advanced to meet Tustin in a second-round game.

The Hawks (6-5), the third-place team from the Sea View League, mounted a final scare but fell just short.

After taking over at its own 34-yard line with 1:42 to play, Laguna Hills moved the ball quickly downfield thanks to the tandem of quarterback Brandon Champlin and receiver Jay Dale.

Dale’s 18-yard catch gave the Hawks a first down at the Loara 12 with 27 seconds remaining, but Champlin threw four consecutive incomplete passes to seal the victory for the Saxons.

“They were probably the best third-place team in the playoffs, and it showed,” deFries said. “They just kept coming back and I was glad we were able to answer the call. Our kids never gave up.”

After playing a mostly lethargic first half, Laguna Hills took its only lead of the game with a 14-point third quarter.

The Hawks tied the game at 14 after Champlin found Dale with a short pass at the Loara 38. Dale cut across the field and ran down the opposite sideline for a 49-yard touchdown.

After Saxon quarterback Jeremy Ellis’ pass was tipped and intercepted by defensive back Chris Turner on Loara’s next possession, Laguna Hills made the score 21-14 when Champlin found Dan Kempff down the left sideline for a 44-yard touchdown.

Chavez then simply took over after Loara’s Steven Douglas returned the kickoff 53 yards to the Laguna Hills 33. Chavez rushed for all 33 yards, his eight-yard run around the left corner knotting the score, 21-21.