Laguna Hills Shuts Down Laguna Beach

MISSION VIEJO —  Laguna Hills’ defense stole the show from running back Michael Jones, holding Laguna Beach to 32 yards total offense in a 56-0 Pacific Coast League victory Friday at Mission Viejo High.

“Our defense is getting better,” Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan said. “[Laguna Beach] changed their offensive philosophy a little but the defense played well. We feel they are peaking at the right time.”

The Laguna Hills defense rattled and confused sophomore quarterback Morgan Reynolds, who was making his first start at the position. It forced four turnovers and gave up only four first downs.

But Jones, the county leader in rushing (1,616 yards) and scoring (134 points) entering the game, also made his presence known.

Jones, a junior, rushed for 199 yards in 22 carries and scored three touchdowns in a little more than a half. He was on the bench early in the third quarter.

After Jones scored his first touchdown on a six-yard run, Dustin Mang ran 23 yards on a reverse to make it 14-0.

Ryan Johnson caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Cory Pardoe and Jones added his second touchdown, an eight-yard run, to make the score 28-0 at halftime.

Jones finished with a five-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, and Tommy Banning had two touchdown runs to make the score 49-0.

Ryan Beutler plunged one yard for the final touchdown.