ALISO VIEJO – Laguna Hills outlasted Aliso Niguel, 22-21, in a Sea View League game Friday at Aliso Niguel High.
With the win, the Hawks finish in third place in the league and could potentially earn an at-large berth in the Division 8 CIF-Southern Section playoffs.
A pair of flashy receivers stole the show: Logan Montgomery for Laguna Hills and Tyler Jones for Aliso Niguel. Montgomery had 96 yards on 10 receptions with a touchdown. Jones had 196 yards on 10 receptions with two touchdowns and a kickoff return touchdown.
The Hawks (6-4, 2-2) led, 16-14, at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Aliso Niguel quarterback Nate Sorensen hit Jones on a slant route and the speedy receiver ran for a 51-yard touchdown to give Aliso a 21-16 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Laguna Hills quarterback Ross Leigher found Montgomery in the back of the end zone to put the Hawks ahead, 22-21.
Aliso (3-7, 1-3) had a chance to score with just over two minutes remaining in the game. After three consecutive first downs by the Wolverines, Nathan Montes intercepted a pass to put the game away for the Hawks.
“We have great senior leadership and they led us tonight. When it came to crunch time, we relied on them and they pulled through,” Laguna Hills coach Mike Maceranka said.
Jones accounted for 196 of Aliso’s 286 yards of offense. The Hawks knew he would be difficult to contain.
“He (Jones) was awesome. We were trying to kick the ball on the ground and do everything we can to not let him get the ball,” Maceranka said.
Laguna Hills’ Harrison Avila kicked three field goals – 39, 34 and 41 yards.
