LAGUNA HILLS – In last week’s season-opening loss to Capistrano Valley, Laguna Hills failed to find the end zone.
The Hawks offense had no problem doing so in Friday night’s Sea View League contest as Laguna Hills cruised to a 46-27 victory over visiting Dana Hills.
Laguna Hills started throwing the ball early, then relied heavily on its running game to break open a 17-7 halftime lead.
Logan Montgomery was a catalyst behind the Hawks’ passing game in the first half, finishing with seven catches for 124 yards. On special teams he had two kick returns of more than 60 yards, including a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter.
“We’ve always had an emphasis of run first and pass second,” Montgomery said. “This week we kind of switched it up; we went to pass to open up the run, so we started throwing early. That really worked for us, kind of got the ball rolling.”
Dana Hills (1-6, 0-1) took a lead on its fourth play of the game, a 63-yard touchdown pass from Corey Cisowski to Ryder Lynch.
That was the only time Laguna Hills (4-3-1, 1-1) trailed. On the ensuing drive, Montgomery hauled in a 61-yard reception from Ross Leigber, setting up a 4-yard touchdown run by Zac Crowe on the next play.
Two minutes later, Montgomery’s 68-yard punt return gave the Hawks the ball on Dana Hills’ 4. Branson Weems scored on the next play to give Laguna Hills the lead.
Dana Hills countered with three scores in the second half — including three touchdown runs from Dolphins’ Brandon Oswald — but its defense couldn’t contain the Hawks.
“We’ve got to keep improving, that was our goal,” said Laguna Hills coach Mike Maceranka. “So that we’re ready for El Toro and ready for the next league game.”
