Finally, a win on the gridiron

After giving up 134 points in its first two games of the season, the Laguna Beach High football team needed to get a bit defensive about their defense.

Mission accomplished in Week 3 against Santa Monica, as the Breakers won the nonleague game, 42-21, at Santa Monica College.

Laguna Beach (1-2) played a dominant game, up 36-7 at one point in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Austin Paxson threw for 245 yards and four touchdown passes, matching his total from last year’s CIF playoff game against Santa Ana. Paxson, who threw for a school record five TD passes against Corona del Mar in this year’s season opener, now holds all of the top three spots on the single-game touchdown list.

Junior Chris Paul had two touchdown catches and finished with 116 yards. The two touchdown grabs gave him a Laguna Beach school record of 15 career touchdown receptions.

Senior Alec Jaffe had 130 all-purpose yards (70 rushing, 60 passing) and scored three times, twice on rushes. Junior Michael Hyden finished with 186 rushing yards on just 17 carries.

The Breakers played at Garden Grove (3-0) Thursday after press time. The Argonauts came into that game outscoring opponents, 100-30.

Laguna Beach next plays at Francis Parker of San Diego on Oct. 9. That game is their final nonleague tilt before Orange Coast League play begins Oct. 16, at Godinez.

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CROSS-COUNTRY

Another week, another big win for Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Beach boys’ cross-country team easily won the Division IV race at the prestigious Stanford Invitational Saturday, with three finishers in the top five.

Senior Blake Hofmeister finished second individually in 16 minutes, 3 seconds for the Breakers. He was followed by senior teammate Tommy Newton-Neal in 16:04.

Junior Matt Neev was fifth in 16:11, followed by senior Andrew Shapero in eighth in 16:18. Senior Jake Johnson finished in 17:10 (46th).

Daniel Milechman of Tamalpais was the individual winner in 15:46

Laguna Beach scored 59 points, while Sehome High of Washington was second with 97 points. The Breakers’ top California competitor at the meet was St. Mary’s of Berkeley, which was fifth (162 points).

On the girls’ side, Laguna Beach finished sixth out of 27 teams. McKenna Nokes was 20th in 19:57, followed by Natasha Strickland in 20:21 (27th). Gerry Artman was 41st in 20:50, and Parker Yamasaki was 66th in 21:28.

Beverly Ronses’ time of 21:35 was good for 71st and Marisa Merchant (21:46) placed 78th.

“I thought we ran OK,” Coach Steve Lalim said. “The girls felt a little flat, more than likely due to the heavy training we’ve been doing the last few weeks. McKenna ran almost a minute and a half better than last year, Natasha ran about 30 seconds faster and Gerry and Bev improved about two minutes from last year. I was pleased with the improvements but our best races are yet to come.”

Both the boys’ and girls’ teams now prepare for an Orange Coast League “cluster” meet, to be held Thursday at Centennial Park in Santa Ana.

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GIRLS’ TENNIS

The Breakers may wish it happened more often, but they achieved rare perfection Tuesday in their Orange Coast League opener against Godinez. Not only did Laguna record an 18-0 victory, but the Breakers won all 108 games played.

Recording triple-bagels for Laguna Beach (4-2) were singles players Maddie Jaeger, Taylor Nederlander and Bianca Sganga, as well as the doubles teams of Lauren Michaels and Claire Jaeger, Haley Moss and McKenna Nokes, Monica Prokes and Kate McMahon (sub) and Alison Azera and Lia Berger.

The Breakers, ranked No. 8 in the CIF Southern Section Division I coaches’ poll, faced Calvary Chapel in another league match Thursday. They play Sage Hill in a nonleague match Tuesday at The Tennis Club in Newport Beach.

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GIRLS’ GOLF

The Breakers picked up their third straight Orange Coast League victory by topping Ocean View, 271-320, Tuesday at Bella Colina Golf Course. Senior Grace Komoroczy was medalist for the Breakers (5-2) with a seven-over par 43.

Coach Val Quigley also highlighted the play of sophomore Taylor Weiss, who shot under 50 for the third match in a row.

Previously, Laguna Beach had topped Orange, 237-287, in another league match on Sept. 24. Komoroczy was again medalist with a five-over par 39.

Quigley said Jenni Coury and Christianne Kinder have also been playing well for the Breakers, who had a huge league match against Estancia on Thursday after press time. The winner of that match will get a leg up in league, at least until the teams meet again on Oct. 20.

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BOYS’ WATER POLO

Defending league champ Laguna Beach won its Orange Coast League opener at Estancia, 17-8, on Wednesday.

Nolan McConnell had six goals and three assists for the Breakers, who dominated after the score was tied, 4-4, after the first quarter. David Brunner added four goals and Nicky Brunner, Spencer Dodson and Robbie Quellmalz had two each.

Laguna Beach (8-6), ranked No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section Division I coaches’ poll, had previously finished in 13th place at the 32-team South Coast Tournament over the weekend.

At Corona del Mar High on Saturday, the Breakers topped Esperanza, 9-7, in a 13th-place semifinal. In the 13th-place match, they bested San Clemente, 15-3.

Quellmalz had a team-high five goals against San Clemente and sophomore goalie Erik Henrikson had a fine game with 11 saves.

Laguna Beach is at Dana Hills on Tuesday.