LAGUNA BEACH — Godinez didn’t take the easy road through preseason and its record shows it. But that tough early schedule seems to have served its purpose.
The Grizzlies led from start to finish as they pounded their way to a 32-7 victory over Laguna Beach in an Orange Coast League opener for both teams Friday.
That lead wasn’t quite so comfortable early in the fourth quarter, as the Grizzlies (2-4, 1-0) clung to a 13-7 lead and the ball on their own 9.
Godinez quarterback Bryan Ibarra evaded two Breakers’ defenders, scrambled into the Grizzlies’ end zone, and tossed up a 49-yard pass that landed in the hands of Godinez receiver Eddie Bravo at midfield.
That play set up a 19-yard touchdown completion from Ibarra to Ivan Guzman seven plays later, giving Godinez a 19-7 lead, and some breathing room.
“I think we saw these last year… Where we started really deep in our territory and we marched all the way down,” Coach Michael Echaves said. “And that was kind of the turning point for us.”
Godinez ate up most of the first quarter on its 13-play opening drive. Ibarra put the Grizzlies on the board with 3:30 to play in the first on a 16-yard, third-and-13 scramble. He rushed for two touchdowns and 86 yards, while completing 10 of 16 for 137 yards.
Laguna Beach (2-4, 0-1) scored on its first possession of the third to cut into the Grizzlies’ lead, which was 13-0 at halftime.
Breakers receiver Ryan Blaser reached over the top of two Godinez defenders to snag a long pass from Curtis Harrison and then ran it to the endzone for a 64-yard touchdown.
Harrison completed 14 of 27 for 163 yards on the evening, with one interception.
Laguna Beach was able to shutout the persistent Godinez run game — which was led primarily by Ibarra— in the third quarter, but the Grizzlies broke the game open in the fourth. Godinez scored three times in the final quarter including two on touchdown runs by Andy Sosa.
