Laguna Hills tops University, stays unbeaten

IRVINE - Laguna Hills broke it open in the second half Thursday night with some big plays to defeat University, 42-14, in a Pacific Coast League game at Irvine High.

The Hawks (7-0, 2-0) held a 14-0 lead at halftime before taking control in the third quarter.

“It was definitely a big play-fest tonight, that’s for sure,” Laguna Hills coach Bruce Ingalls said. “The big plays probably made a difference in the ballgame.”

The first big play came when Shawn Tucker  returned a punt 81 yards for a score with 6:52 left in the third quarter to put the Hawks ahead, 21-0.

“He’s a guy who when he has the ball in his hands can go the distance any time,” Ingalls said.

University (4-3, 0-1) cut the lead to 21-7 when quarterback Elliott Martin connected with Bronson Taylor on a 10-yard TD pass with 2:35 left in the third quarter. (Full game stats.)

Laguna Hills responded on its next drive when A.J. Martin took a lateral from Robert Refsnyder and connected with Tucker on a 78-yard touchdown pass.

“We played well, they had three big plays, our defense did a really good job against them,” University coach Mark Cunningham said.

Laguna Hills also had a big play in the first half when Matt Giovinazzo scampered 36 yards for a score.

• Click here for full game stats.

Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com