Smith’s four scores lead Breakers to win

After getting a stirring victory, it was time this week for the Laguna Beach football team to give back.

The Breakers find themselves idle from gridiron wars this weekend, in limbo between a 34-12 Orange Coast League victory over host Calvary Chapel and a week away from playing their final regular season home game Nov. 7 against Estancia.

Their reward following that Oct. 23 win over Calvary Chapel that put the Breakers at 2-0 in league? A day at the beach.

But it wasn’t all fun and games.

Coach Jonathan Todd said that idle time this week has allowed his team the opportunity to work on some things “” things like seven-on-seven situations and the passing game, in addition to doing some community service. On Thursday, the Breakers were to do beach clean-up at Main Street beach following a workout on the sand.

“I know it’s football season and that’s great and all, but this week, it’s about giving back,” Todd said. “It’s important to keep things in perspective.”

The Breakers also have gained some perspective as to where they stand at the halfway point of the Orange Coast League race: wins over Godinez and Calvary Chapel to begin the league campaign has left Laguna tied with Costa Mesa, who also is 2-0, in the top spot.

Last week, Laguna exploded in the fourth quarter to turn a precarious two-point lead on Calvary Chapel into a 34-12 victory at Orange Coast College.

The Breakers clung to a 7-6 halftime lead and led only 14-12 heading into the final 12 minutes. It was in that fourth quarter where they got three touchdown runs from Zach Smith, including 66-yard burst to the end zone.

Smith actually had four touchdown runs in the game. He began the game’s scoring with a one-yard run in the first quarter. The sophomore tandem of receiver Chris Paul and quarterback Austin Paxson teamed up on a 38-yard TD pass play in the third quarter to increase the Laguna lead to 14-6.

Smith went on to finish with 141 yards rushing and Paxson threw for 109. Paul had four receptions total 81 yards.

Smith now has 15 rushing touchdowns on the season, which puts him at seventh on the school’s single-season list. He also comes in at No. 4 on the school’s career rushing list. The senior currently has rushed for 1,616 yards.

“That was a good test for us,” Todd said. “We went into the half only up a point and they scored again to cut our lead to two in the third quarter.

“My big thing at halftime was that I asked the kids how they wanted to remember this game. We challenged them to come out and play hard and play a complete second half. We really established ourselves in the fourth quarter and that was great to see.”

Laguna’s defense, which used only three down linemen during the game, only gave up one touchdown to the Eagles. The other Calvary score came on an interception return in the second quarter.

In addition to working on things that they normally don’t get to during this idle week, the Breakers also will get to work on mending the ailments dogging a few players. Senior receiver/defensive back Jason Colladay, who has been out of action since suffering an ankle sprain in the St. Monica game, and senior lineman Sharif Elseify, who sprained an ankle in the Godinez game on Oct. 17, are on the mend. Todd said that both “might” return for next week’s home game against Estancia.

BREAKERS MVP

Name: Andrew Paddon

Year: Senior

Positions: Receiver/defensive back/punt returns

Height: 6-2

Weight: 200

Highlights: Paddon, who began the year at quarterback for Laguna Beach, has made key contributions in other facets of the game which he did again in an Oct. 23 Orange Coast League contest against Calvary Chapel. Among his feats was gaining 61 yards on six punt returns with a momentum-turning 40-yard return that helped send the Breakers on their way to a 34-12 win over the Eagles at Orange Coast College.

Coach’s comments: “He did a great job on returns and that big one really gave us a huge boost,” Jonathan Todd said. “He also played a really strong game for us defensively. I’m proud of him and how he’s really embraced the roles he plays on this team. He’s making some really big contributions.”