High School Football: Breakers finish the way they started
Given the way the previous eight weeks had played out, there couldn’t have been a better way for the Laguna Beach football team to end its 2014 season, the program’s 80th on the gridiron, than the way it did Nov. 7 at Guyer Field.
The Breakers went into the off-season, and the senior players ended their careers, with a great moment as they rolled by visiting Godinez, 31-7, in the Orange Coast League finale for both teams.
Laguna scored the final 31 points of the game and the victory concluded a 2-8 campaign that included a 1-4 finish in OCL play.
The win also was the first since a 45-12 rout of Bolsa Grande in the Breakers’ season opener on Sept. 5.
“I was very excited for my seniors to leave our program on a high note,” Laguna Coach Corey Brown said. “Many of our seniors were four-year football players and even sophomores on the (CIF) semifinal team. It was a fitting end to a very tough and physical season. Those seniors persevered through a lot this season and were great leaders and example setters for our upcoming seasons.”
One of the seniors, receiver/linebacker Brett Tracy, scored twice in his final game as a Breaker. Tracy first reached the end zone in the second quarter by taking in a 41-yard pass from junior quarterback Jack Simon. The play gave the Breakers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Tracy also capped the scoring with a nine-yard scoring run with 2:53 remaining in the game.
Godinez, which went winless (0-10, 0-5), took a 7-0 first-quarter lead, but Laguna tied the score when Simon scored on a 29-yard run just over two minutes into the second quarter. After the Simon-Tracy pass play put the Breakers in front, freshman Max Casper hit a 21-yard field goal as the first-half clock expired, to give the Breakers a 17-7 cushion at the break.
Laguna’s final two scores came in the fourth quarter. Sophomore running back Nick Krantz scored on a seven-yard run at the 7:11 mark of the quarter, preceding Tracy’s TD run with under three minutes to play.
“I was pleased that it was a team effort in the finale,” Brown said. “We had many of our players make plays and experience the high of contributing to a win. We forced turnovers, blocked a kick, scored rushing, passing and receiving. I was very happy for an overall solid performance and example of what this year’s 2014 team was made of.
“I have many thoughts on the season, but none more important than the lifelong memories that this year has created. It would be insulting to try and measure this season in wins and losses, this season will always be about the young men and families of Laguna Beach that made it possible.”
Laguna had nine seniors on its 2014 roster and also fielded a team that included several underclassmen who saw game action at one time or another. On offense, a junior (Simon) led at quarterback, two juniors and four sophomores played in the backfield, a sophomore was at center, a freshman and sophomore were at wide receiver, and a sophomore and junior played tight end.
Brown said on defense, all four cornerbacks were sophomores, two juniors played free safety, two sophomores and a freshman played outside linebacker, and a junior and sophomore played inside linebacker.
“If we stay together and continue to work, our future looks to be promising,” Brown said.
“Our players have to focus and make it a point to improve at football. Our off-season must be a positive and beneficial time period. We cannot remain the same team and expect different results. We have over 10 players who have 10 games varsity experience and have not even turned 16 years old yet.”
Krantz set a new program single-season record for a sophomore by rushing 177 times for 871 yards with eight touchdowns this year.
*
Results/Schedule
Laguna Beach (2-8)
45...Bolsa Grande...12
10...University...37
21...Westminster...57
14...St. Margaret’s...35
14...Northwood...38
0...*Costa Mesa...48
31...*Saddleback...38
6..: *Estancia...17
28...*Calvary Chapel...35 (OT)
31...*Godinez...7
(*denotes league game)
*
Twitter: @MikeSciacca