Breakers start fast, but can't finish

Earlier in the week, Ocean View football Coach Harold Eggers was leery of the Laguna Beach offense which, he said, could score quickly.

He and his Seahawks found that to be true Friday at Ocean View.

Laguna struck fast — and fairly easily — for scores on its first two possessions. But then Ocean View made some defensive adjustments, rode the running of Timmy Robinson and two big plays by Blake Walker, and took advantage of an injury to Laguna quarterback Austin Paxson, to finish fast for a 36-14 nonleague victory.

Paxson, who threw for 138 yards in the opening quarter, suffered an injury to his throwing hand when it hit a helmet at the conclusion of his throwing motion early in the second quarter. He exited after his only interception of the game was returned 30 yards for a touchdown by Ocean View strong safety Travis Sparks-Jackson that tied the score at 14-14 with 8:58 left in quarter. The senior did return for one more series in the half but didn't play in the second half.

He was replaced by sophomore Larry Stewart.

"He hurt his hand when he hit that helmet," Laguna Beach Coach Jonathan Todd said. "We'll have to find out just how bad the injury is."

"We were thin to begin with," Todd continued, motioning to injured players, offensive lineman/linebacker Taylor Preston and running back/linebacker Nort Penney, both of whom were in street clothes and their game jerseys on the Laguna sideline. "We started a freshman (Steven Harrison) and sophomore (Drake Martinez) at inside linebacker, and both did a great job. I thought they played like men out there tonight. I also thought Chris (Paul) did an unbelievable job at free safety."

Laguna, which fell to 0-2, took the opening kickoff and marched right down field. From the Ocean View 22, Paxson lofted a pass to the end zone for junior receiver Derek Reigel who out-jumped Ocean View defensive back Andrew Medrano to make a nifty scoring reception. The point after was blocked by Blake Walker, but the Breakers had a 6-0 lead at the midway point of the first quarter.