Laguna Hills wins, extends league streak to 13
LAGUNA HILLS — A day after Laguna Hills received word it would not be playing in the Pacific Coast League for the next four seasons, the Hawks extended their league unbeaten streak to 13 games with a 45-7 victory Friday over University.
It was a workmanlike performance as Hawks running backs, behind a line of Noel Molina, Dan Yielding, James Shoop, Drew Corley and Jeff McCraney, ran through a Trojans defense that was overmatched from the outset.
Matt Martindale led the way, carrying 11 times for 145 yards and touchdown runs of 3 and 15 yards.
“They do a lot of things well,” University coach Mark Cunningham said. “They really hit, they’re disciplined, and they’re well-coached. Their improvement from the beginning of the year has been unbelievable.”
Laguna Hills (5-2, 2-0) scored on its first three possessions and five of six in the first half. It drove 80 yards in the final 1:10, all on the arm of Tim Belman, who passed 2 yards to Mark Martindale for a 31-7 lead.
University (2-5, 0-2), whose 2006 tie with Laguna Hills is the only blemish of the unbeaten streak, got a 55-yard completion from Joppi Martin to Jordan Kemp to set up Martin’s 6-yard run that made it 24-7.
The long pass play comprised most of University’s 134 yards against a defense led by Martindale, Joey Bonutto, Trevor Nofsinger and Mike Vandal.
Otherwise, the night belonged to Laguna Hills, which got touchdowns from five different players, a 38-yard field goal by Matt Burke, and two interceptions, including one by Tevin Brock that set up a touchdown.
