Laguna Hills’ Patience Quickly Pays Off in 30-7 Victory

Laguna Hills needed a half to get its big-play offense in gear Friday night against Costa Mesa.

Once the Hawks got going, however, they wasted little time showing why they have yet to lose in the Pacific Coast League.

Laguna Hills (5-3, 3-0) scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to break open a close game and beat Costa Mesa, 30-7, at Orange Coast College. The victory sets up Thursday’s game against Aliso Niguel, also 3-0 in league play.

Jeff Fischer caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Brandon Champlin and Ryan Johnson ran one yard for another score as Laguna Hills quickly changed the game’s complexion. Going into the half, the Hawks were reeling after Costa Mesa’s Ricky Martin intercepted two passes from Champlin, returning one 34 yards for a touchdown. Martin leads the county with 12 interceptions.

Costa Mesa (4-4, 1-2) trailed, 9-7, despite Laguna Hills dominating play.

“I told the kids we had to be patient,” Laguna Hills Coach Bruce Ingalls said. “Our kids didn’t panic and we got Fisch the ball.”

Patience helped the Hawks, but some terrific field position certainly didn’t hurt either.

Laguna Hills’ second possession of the third quarter started at the Costa Mesa 30.

Champlin, who passed for 208 yards, hit Fischer on the first play for a 30-yard score. Dan Kempff’s kick made the lead 16-7.

The next series started on the Costa Mesa 24. Champlin hit Schaefer again, this time in the corner of end zone, and Laguna Hills was up 23-7.

Again, Laguna Hills’ defense limited Costa Mesa to one series, and the Hawks got the ball back at the Hawks’ 48.

It took only three plays to score, on Johnson’s one-yard run.