Laguna opens league tonight

The Laguna Beach High football team has had a tough nonleague schedule.

And the Breakers hope that prepares them well for the Orange Coast League slate, which begins at 7 tonight as they travel to Godinez.

“We’re almost at full strength,” said Coach Jonathan Todd, who now has sophomore receiver Derek Reigel and sophomore running back Norty Penney back from a collarbone injury and concussion, respectively. “This is who we are, finally.”

Laguna Beach is coming off a 49-24 loss to San Diego Section powerhouse Francis Parker.

The Breakers actually scored the game’s first touchdown, on senior Alec Jaffe’s one-yard run, but Francis Parker came back to score three straight times before Laguna Beach (1-4) could answer.

The Breakers chose to keep the ball primarily on the ground and rumbled for 396 yards, including 271 by Jaffe alone. That was the third-best single-game performance in Laguna Beach history, behind only Zach Smith’s 309-yard game last year and Jody Stevens’ 296-yard performance in 2005.

The team mark of 396 yards was also close to the school record of 406 yards, set in 1956.

“We were trying to control the clock; they had a really good running quarterback,” Todd said. “Alec just played a great game.”

Jaffe also scored two touchdowns. Penney ran for 143 yards and added a touchdown, and Austin Paxson booted a 28-yard field goal.

The Breakers also got senior linebacker Ethan Quirarte back for the game. Todd said Reigel will probably play tonight against Godinez as well, but may be used sparingly.

Freshman Shane Selfridge has also been playing well and Todd said he’s earned a starting linebacker spot.

“I feel good going into league,” Todd said.

Godinez is an improved 2-4. Last year, the Breakers beat Godinez, 61-6.

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GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

The Breakers have a big challenge today and Saturday as they’re playing in the California Challenge tournament at Torrey Pines High.

Laguna Beach is seeded second in its pool at the tournament, which features 10 of the top 100 teams in the nation as ranked by Prepvolleyball.com. Long Beach Wilson and Canyon Crest Academy are also in the Breakers’ pool.

According to the ESPN RISE Fab 50 rankings, Long Beach Wilson is No. 13 in the country and fourth in California behind Archbishop Mitty, Newport Harbor and Dos Pueblos.

The Breakers have finished seventh and fifth the last two years at the tournament. They’ll need to win their pool to continue to Saturday’s Gold Division play.

“It’s a tough one,” Laguna Beach Coach Lance Stewart said. “You’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game. But it’s a great opportunity for us. Hopefully we can pull an upset and advance to the Gold Division.”

Laguna Beach fell in four games to Long Beach Poly in action from Saturday at the Steve Lewis Memorial Volleyfest, 19-25, 22-25, 25-21, 14-25. Paulette Grand Pre had 11 kills and fellow senior Alex Rieckhoff added 10.

Behind 16 kills from Grand Pre and 12 from Chanel Stewart, Laguna also topped Calvary Chapel in a four-game Orange Coast League match Oct. 8. Game scores were 15-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-18. The Eagles appear to be Laguna’s main roadblock for defending the league title, which makes the teams’ next meeting at Calvary Chapel on Oct. 28 important.

“That’ll essentially be for the league championship,” Stewart said.

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CROSS COUNTRY

Both the Breakers boys and girls eased to wins at the Orange Coast League cluster meet on Oct. 8.

Boys’ coach Dave Brobeck decided to sit his top runner, Blake Hofmeister, but Matt Neev (15:41) and Tommy Newton-Neal (15:54) still finished second and fourth, respectively.

On the girls’ side, Laguna took four of the top five spots, including Natasha Strickland (first, 18:58); McKenna Nokes (second, 18:59); Gerry Artman (fourth, 19:45) and Marisa Merchant (fifth, 20:00).

Both teams are racing Saturday at the Orange County Invitational. Brobeck said the boys, the top-ranked Division IV team in both the Southern Section and state, have been invited to race in the sweepstakes race.

“It’s a good race for us right now,” Brobeck said. “Often, October can be the dog-days of cross country. It’s nice to have a big-time meet this time of year. I hope we’ll approach it the same way we did Woodbridge.”

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GIRLS’ TENNIS

Laguna’s league match against Costa Mesa Tuesday was rained out. In earlier action, the Breakers (6-5, 3-0 in league) got by Estancia, 17-1, on Oct. 8.

Bianca Sganga and Claire Jaeger swept in singles while Lauren Michaels won two of three. In doubles, the teams of Maddie Jaeger and Haley Moss, Taylor Nederlander and Alison Azera, as well as Kate McMahon and Lia Berger, all swept.

Laguna also lost to the top-ranked Division II team from Palm Desert, 14-4, on Oct. 7 despite two doubles wins from Moss and Claire Jaeger.

The Breakers played at Godinez Thursday and are scheduled to be at the prestigious Corona del Mar All-American tournament beginning today.

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GIRLS’ GOLF

Laguna Beach topped Ocean View, 262-278, on Wednesday at Meadowlark Golf Course in a Golden West League match. The Breakers’ Grace Komoroczy shot a two-over par 38 for medalist honors.

Laguna’s scheduled match Tuesday against Orange was postponed due to rain.

The Breakers are now 8-3, and 6-1 in league. Their anticipated rematch against league rival Estancia is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, at Bella Collina Golf Club. Laguna Beach likely needs to win that match to earn a share of the league title.