Breakers surf to a win in finale

Jody Stevens rushes for 300 yards during Laguna’s 24-7 win over Calvary Chapel.It was Senior Night on Nov. 11 at Guyer Field, and Jody Stevens stole the spotlight in his final game at Laguna Beach High.

Stevens ran wild, blazing for 300 rushing yards and scoring four touchdowns in the Breakers’ 24-7 Pacific Coast League victory over visiting Calvary Chapel in the season finale for both schools.

The game also marked the swan song in Pacific Coast League play for Laguna, which will compete in a new league beginning with the 2006-07 school year.

The win ended Laguna’s season at 5-4-1. The Breakers went 2-4 in league play.

Nolan said a last-second loss to University on Nov. 4, a game in which he said a “phantom” pass interference call against the Breakers led to a decisive field goal by University on the final play of the game, and a tie against Ocean View on Sept. 16, a game in which the host Seahawks declined to play overtime, prevented Laguna from a chance to win two more games.

A 7-3 mark would have qualified Laguna for CIF postseason play.

Instead, the Breakers turned in their game equipment this week.

“That tie really hurt our chances for a wild-card playoff spot,” Nolan said. “Other than all the injuries, that is the downside of this season.”

Three of Laguna’s losses came to Tesoro, Northwood and Corona del Mar.

“The upside of this year is that we were constantly told how bad we’d be this year,” Nolan said. “With all the adversity we faced and all the doubt, we still had a winning season at 5-4-1. The boys finished the year fighting harder than I’ve seen a Laguna Beach team ever fight. That is all I can ask for.

“Another upside was the two Nancys -- Nancy Stevens, Jody’s mom, and our principal, Nancy Blade. They were great supporters of the team.”

The lasting legacy of the 2005 Breakers, who didn’t have much size, depth or speed, is the heart they displayed despite a season-long string of injuries, Nolan said.

Two of the biggest losses to injury were Garrett Preston and George Chheng.

Laguna suited up against Calvary Chapel with eight starters sidelined due to injuries. Among them was starting quarterback Charley Bowman. His replacement against the Eagles was Alex Smith. Normally a kicker, Smith played admirably in helping guide the Breakers to a season-ending win.

“Kudos to these boys,” Nolan said. “They ended the year on a very respectful note. They showed heart, never complained and never gave up. Beaten and exhausted, they fought.”

So, in its regular season finale, a night honoring the team’s seniors, a big win allowed the senior class to go out with a bang.

The win could serve as a stepping stone for next year, too.

“I am really pleased with those guys,” Nolan said of his seniors. “They will be missed. They set a great example of what a team can do with courage, toughness, and heart. We had commitment, camaraderie and desire.

“The seniors were one heartbeat that won games for us. Future varsity players will be better because of what this senior class taught them.”