Tonight's game pits two teams who are undefeated in league play albeit, the league schedule is just one game old. However, the winner of tonight's game takes over sole possession of first place in the standings heading into the final week of the regular season.
Laguna had a two-week bye to prepare for its league opener against Calvary Chapel on Oct. 26, and despite saying he was "disappointed" in his team's focus and preparation during that layoff, the Breakers responded with their most thorough effort yet in a 28-7 victory on the big stage of LeBard Stadium at Orange Coast College.
The Breakers used a potent ground attack that nearly racked up 400 yards to score their most points in a game this year. Zach Smith and Charley Bowman each topped the 100-yard rushing mark and Devin Hands ran for 78 more.
Smith scored on runs of five and 51 yards and Bowman had TD runs cover one and 64 yards.
Nolan acknowledged Smith, Bowman, Hands and middle linebacker Justin Lendahl as Laguna's key performers in the victory.
"We executed well in every facet of the game," Nolan said. "We blocked well, ran hard, tackled well, covered excellent and had no turnovers. I saw a new team out there. I believe our tough pre-season strength of schedule did us some good."
The victory ended a losing streak at three games for Laguna, which brings an overall mark of 3-5 into tonight's meeting.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are 6-2 and have won four of their past five games, the latest coming last week in a 17-0 win over rival Costa Mesa.
