Season ends for Breakers

Just one week after capturing the school’s first league championship in 19 years, the Laguna Beach High football team was brought back down to earth on Nov. 17.

At Guyer Field that night, the Breakers saw their season come to an end in a 55-0 loss to Valencia of Placentia. It was the first home playoff game hosted by the school since the 1987 season.

The loss also snapped a three-game win streak.

“There was a lot of emotion,” Laguna Coach Jimmy Nolan said. “We really thought we could play with that team, and then we got worked. It’s tough to go from such a high to such a low.

“We know Valencia is a great team. We lost to a team that was in the CIF championship [game] last year, in the same division as teams such as Newport Harbor, Orange Lutheran, and Tustin. The boys and I had a long talk after the loss and we were upset that the season is over. Winners do not like to lose. This team has become a bunch of winners. I was proud to see them so emotional after the game. I couldn’t be any more prouder of these guys. They did a great thing this year.”

A team with an average age of 15, Laguna finished the year with a 5-6 record.

The Breakers won the Orange Coast League championship in their first year in the league, and return a majority of their roster for the 2007 season.

“We went undefeated through league and did it with authority,” Nolan said. “We beat three teams that would have beaten us early in the season. The boys became men. I was really impressed seeing these guys mature throughout our season. We’ll dearly miss the seniors graduating and I am very honored and thankful for those guys. But next year we have almost everyone back. We expect another league championship and to go further in the playoffs next season.

“I am honored, thankful and grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of these boy’s lives. I wouldn’t change a thing in the past. I want to remind these guys that anything is possible. They just need to have a goal, realize what it takes to achieve that goal and do everything possible to attain that goal.”

Name: Marshall Thomas

Positions: Free safety/ receiver/kick returner

Height: 6-1

Weight: 170

Year: Senior

Game highlights: Thomas was a lone bright spot for Laguna Beach in a 55-0 loss to visiting Valencia of Placentia in the opening round of the CIF Southern Division playoffs. He was the Breakers’ top receiver on the night.

Coach’s comments: “He caught several balls and was one of our sole leaders last Friday night,” Jimmy Nolan said. “He also limped out to play defense, figuring he’d ‘spend it all’ on his last high school football game. Marshall worked harder than anyone all year in his approach to this last season. He also carries a 4.5 GPA and will attend either Columbia University and play football, or another school of this caliber. I can’t say enough about this kid and am honored to have been his coach and friend. We are all better people because of Marshall.”