LAGUNA HILLS – Laguna Hills kept a zero on Northwood’s side of the scoreboard and in both teams’ records Friday night.
Laguna Hills rode a stiff defense and big plays to a 21-0 nonleague victory over Northwood at Laguna Hills High.
“That’s what we play for,” Laguna Hills coach Bruce Ingalls said of the Hawks’ 2-0 record. Northwood fell to 0-3.
Laguna Hills gained its edge on a first-quarter burst.
On the first play of Laguna Hills’ second series, Sam Warren ran up the middle, cut outside and downfield for a 72-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead. That was only score in a defense-dominated first half.
Outside of the 72-yard run, Northwood held the Hawks to just 15 yards of offense in the half, all on the ground.
The Laguna Hills defense pushed Northwood back to the tune of minus-20 yards rushing in the first half. The Hawks also collected four sacks in the game, including two by Zac Crowe, and an interception by Warren.
In the second half, Laguna Hills found its offensive legs off of Northwood miscues.
The Hawks got the ball at midfield after a roughing-the-passer penalty extended a third-quarter drive. Mitch O’Hair hit Malik Richardson-Smith for a 50-yard TD pass.
On its next series, Northwood punted short to its own 31-yard line. Laguna Hills soon after had 9-yard TD run by Bear Sutton.
