Laguna Hills runs through CdM, 27-0
NEWPORT BEACH — Laguna Hills' football team did precisely what Corona del Mar coach Jason Hitchens feared it might Thursday night in the teams' Pacific Coast League opener.
The Hawks deployed a physical ground attack that chewed up yards and clock.
Running back Matt Martindale led the way, rushing for 133 yards and four touchdowns as the Hawks beat the No. 3 team in the Southern Division rankings, 27-0, at Newport Harbor.
The Hawks, who improved to 11-0-1 since moving to the Pacific Coast for the 2006 season, racked up 324 yards on the ground. Laguna Hills (4-2, 1-0) threw only one pass - a 9-yard completion on a third-and-3 early in the second quarter.
"They did a really good job (running the ball)," Hitchens said of Laguna Hills, ranked No. 6 in the Southern Division. "They’re the team to beat (in league)."
Corona del Mar (4-2, 0-1) played without its standout running back, J.D. Abbott (ankle) but Martindale certainly was another challenge. He did much of his damage behind linemen Dan Yielding, James Shoop, Jeff McCraney, Drew Corley and Noel Molina, along with tight ends Michael McCullough and Mark Martindale, Matt’s brother.
"They were great today," Matt Martindale said. "We had holes from A gaps to B gaps to C gaps all tonight and it helped oodles for our fullbacks and tailbacks."
Laguna Hills set the tone on the opening possession of the game. The Hawks put together a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive that lasted just over six minutes. Martindale capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point was blocked.
On their next possession, the Hawks drove 55 yards on eight plays for another Martindale touchdown run, this time from 15 yards. The scoring drive lasted 3:52. Laguna Hillls held possession for 9:41 in the first quarter, outgaining the Sea Kings, 142-7.
Laguna Hills' ground attack kept rolling in the second quarter. On its third possession, Laguna Hills drove 89 yards on 10 plays for another score. Martindale broke a 47-yard touchdown run up the middle as the Hawks opened a commanding 20-0 lead with 5:39 left in the first half.
The Sea Kings' best chance for a score arrived on the ensuing possession. Running back Alex Swigert broke a 20-yard gain to near midfield on a third-and-2. The Sea Kings then faced a third-and-13 but coming out of a timeout, Swigert took a delayed screen and appeared to break a long gain to the Hawks' 4. But the play was nullified by a penalty and the drive ended two plays later.
Laguna Hills capped the scoring on its first possession of the second half, driving 59 yards for another Martindale touchdown, this one from 1 yard out with 6:43 left in the third.
Martindale wasn't the only Laguna Hills running back who had a productive night. Jonathon Miranda ran for 73 yards while fullback Tommy Vorsheck added 51.
In capturing the Southern Division title last season, Laguna Hills was more balanced on offense. But this season, the Hawks' strength appears to be on the ground. They lined up times Thursday without a wide receiver.
"Maybe it's three yards and cloud of a dust," Laguna Hills coach Bruce Ingalls said. "We're trying to find different ways to run the football. That's who we are. We're trying to take advantage of being physical. It's fits our personnel real well."
On defense, end Travis Searl had a sack and a tackle for loss for the Hawks, who held Corona del Mar to 85 yards rushing. John Helmuth and Trevor Nofsiner had interceptions in the second half for Laguna Hills.
Hitchens said Abbott is questionable to play next week when the Sea Kings take on Irvine and DaVonte Young.
