COSTA MESA Entering Thursday night’s Orange Coast League opener, Estancia hadn’t lost to Calvary Chapel since 2008.
If not for a few key defensive stops and the sturdy leg of a trusted kicker, that streak might have ended.
But Estancia, overcoming a plethora of penalties, withstood a late push from visiting Calvary Chapel to hang on for a 30-20 victory. The win extended its streak to three games.
With Estancia (4-2, 1-0) clutching to a 27-20 lead with less than six minutes remaining in the game, Dalton O’Daly helped stuff Calvary Chapel’s fourth-and-5 run inside Estancia’s 45. Estancia took over following the loss of possession, and the drive ended when Christopher Moya knocked in a 43-yard field goal to give Estancia a two-score advantage.
The successful kick was one of three impressive field goals made by Moya. The others were 25 and 38 yards.
Calvary Chapel (2-4, 0-1) dropped its fourth consecutive game despite an impressive second-half showing.
Facing a 17-7 halftime deficit, Calvary Chapel’s opening possession in the third quarter stalled when Joey Cox’s reception was fumbled at the Estancia 32. Estancia’s Ronnie Urquiza scooped up the ball and returned it 43 yards to set up Dylan Laurent’s 9-yard scoring run.
Calvary Chapel trimmed the score to 24-14 after capping an eight-play, 63-yard drive on its ensuing possession. Following Moya’s successful field goal, Patrick Glasgow led a nine-play drive that ended on his 9-yard scamper into the end zone, cutting Estancia’s lead to 27-20.
Calvary’s comeback attempt concluded with the turnover on downs.
Estancia’s offense benefitted from its brothers in the backfield. Dylan Laurent had 21 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns, and Christian Laurent ran the ball 28 times for 132 yards.
Dylan Laurent also added an interception late in the second quarter.
