Breakers still searching for first league win

Still in search of its first Orange Coast League victory in 2010, the Laguna Beach football team gets its next shot at win No. 1 today when it travels to Estancia High to take on Costa Mesa. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Jim Scott Stadium.

Last week, Laguna and visiting Godinez staged a wild league shootout at Guyer Field, which was won, 48-41, by the Grizzlies. The loss was the fourth straight for the Breakers, who are the defending league champs.

It was Godinez’s first victory against Laguna in a new series between the teams that began in 2008. The Breakers lead the series, 2-1.

In addition to the 89 total points scored, which is tied for third-most all-time in a single game in Laguna history, the teams combined for 931 yards of offense.

The 41points are the most scored by the Breakers in their first eight games this year.

The Breakers, now 0-3 in league and 1-7 overall, held a 34-21 halftime lead and the 34 points tie for seventh-most scored in the first half by a Laguna team.

“I thought we had them beat, up two touchdowns, but they just wore use down in the second half,” Laguna Coach Jonathan Todd said. “We missed some plays that could have increased our lead. But I’ve got to say, this group of kids, young kids, fight to the end. We scored with 10 seconds left and went for an onside kick. They just fought all the way.”

Quarterback Austin Paxson again etched his name in the Laguna football annals. The senior set the school’s career total offense record last week. He now has 4,407 yards and broke the previous record of 4,189 set between 1992-93 by Pat Wood.

Paxson completed 12 of 25 passes with two interceptions with two touchdowns passes to Robert Clemons (53, 38 yards) and Derek Reigel (nine yards). One of his interceptions was returned by the Grizzlies for a touchdown.

Running back Norty Penney scored on runs of two and 58 yards and running back Michael Hyden scored on a 10-yard run. Penney led Laguna’s ground attack with 83 yards on eight carries.

Clemons was Laguna’s top receiver with 108 yards on four receptions.

Costa Mesa last week handed host Calvary Chapel its first league loss by surprising the Eagles, 26-13. The outcome left both teams 2-1 and tied for second place in the standings. Julian Marquez rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Nathan Alvis rushed for two scores and had a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Waldron.

The Mustangs, who lost their first four games of the season and were 1-5 at one point, are now 3-5. They also were involved in a league shootout Oct. 14 with Godinez and lost to the Grizzlies, 42-41,

“I feel that we’ve got a great shot at winning this game,” Todd said. “It’s a matter of everything coming together for us and the kids playing with emotion. Mesa has always been a great rivalry for us. It was back in my day when I played here at Laguna, and I shared that with the kids.

“We’ve had a good, fun week of practice and I think the kids are loose and ready to go.”

Todd said that record-setting senior receiver Chris Paul, who suffered a separated shoulder in an Oct. 22 loss to Calvary Chapel, will “try to play” on offense today. Paul, who also starts at defensive back and returns kicks, won’t play on defense, Todd said.