IRVINE – For the second game in a row, Estancia put up 35 points.
This week it was enough, as the Eagles pulled away for a 35-10 victory over previously unbeaten University on Friday night at University.
Estancia, which lost to Irvine, 48-35, a week ago, leveled its record at 2-2.
“We were clicking tonight,” Estancia coach Mike Bargas said. “I thought the defense did a really nice job. And on offense we had big plays, but also picked up key first downs when we needed them.”
A 27-yard field goal by Nick Loveland with 3:24 left in the first quarter gave University (3-1) the early lead.
Dylan Laurent got the Eagles started by returning a punt 66 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.
A key fourth-down play late in the half gave the Eagles even more momentum.
Dalton O’Daly caught a pass from quarterback Connor Brown on fourth-and-18, faked a defender and turned it into a 34-yard touchdown.
Estancia led, 14-3, at halftime.
The Eagles controlled the line of scrimmage to put the game out of reach in the second half.
A 20-play, 89-yard drive that ate up nearly 10 minutes of the third quarter resulted in a 9-yard touchdown pass from Connor Brown to Jake Brown on a fourth-down play that put Estancia up, 21-3.
Laurent scored on a 25-yard run around the left side with 3:49 left in the game to make it 28-3.
O’Daly capped Estancia’s scoring when he returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown with 3:03 left.
The Eagles had nice balance on offense. Brown finished an efficient 13-of-14 passing for 154 yards and two touchdowns.
“Connor did a great job of throwing the football,” Bargas said. “He made some wise decisions out there.”
Ronnie Urquiza, Christian Laurent and Dylan Laurent combined for 177 yards on the ground for Estancia.
Wesley Jordan was 12 of 24 passing for 133 yards and scored a 1-yard run late for University.
