Laguna Hills stay perfect with tough defense

LAGUNA HILLS - Led by Shawn Tucker, the Laguna Hills defense was at its best to open Pacific Coast League play Friday night.

Tucker had two interceptions and recovered a fumble as the Hawks forced five turnovers in a 34-7 victory over Corona del Mar at Laguna Hills  High. (Full game stats.)

"I just try to get to the ball as fast I can," Tucker said. "We were able to come out and swarm the ball."

Laguna Hills coach Bruce Ingalls, whose team improved to 6-0 overall, said Tucker and the defense played a great game.

"Shawn is a good athlete and makes a lot of things happen," he  said. "We kept pressure on the quarterback and the kids did a good job."

Cornerback Ryan Ur intercepted Sea Kings quarterback Mitch Sands and returned it 37 yards, setting up a 42-yard field goal by Richie Hogan for a 3-0 lead.

Tucker's first interception led to another 42-yard field goal by Hogan, which increased the lead to 6-0.

On the first play of the ensuing Sea Kings possession, Sands' pass intended for wide receiver Noah Molnar skipped off his fingertips and into the arms of Tucker, who returned it to the Sea Kings 29-yard line.

Wide receiver A.J. Martin then caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Robert Refsnyder, making it 13-0.

On the next possession, Tucker recovered a fumble at the Sea  Kings 21-yard line. Five plays later, running back Derek Browning scored on a  2-yard run, giving Laguna Hills a 20-0 lead.

Later in the third, Refsnyder scored from 48 yards out to increase the lead to 34-0.

The Sea Kings (5-2, 0-1) scored late in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Sands to wide receiver Dillon Norton.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com