Laguna Beach takes on Lightning

A five-week nonleague stretch of the 2015 season for the Laguna Beach High football team comes to a close Friday in Newport Coast when the Breakers, with four games already in the books, is on the road for a 7 p.m. game at Sage Hill.

The Breakers will be out to halt a two-game skid when they meet the Lightning, a game Coach Ted Clarke said his team is “looking forward to.”

Laguna had the task last week of facing the top-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division, and played toe-to-toe with Westminster. The Breakers trailed 21-18 in the fourth quarter before the Lions pulled out to an eventual, 28-18 victory at Guyer Field.

“The kids, and our program, grew tremendously last week,” Clarke said. “They played so well and our coaches, our assistant coaches, did a magnificent job of preparing for that game. Our offensive coordinator [Pete Mitchell Jr.] had a great game plan, and [quarterback] Jack [Simon] had a nice game. Their DBs were running, trying to figure out what was what.

“We shifted our approach during practices leading up to the game, and took some kids out of their comfort zones. Being here, showing up on time, is not enough. We stressed the small things and want to leave the field knowing we gave our best effort. I tip my hat to these kids because they did that. They faced adversity but kept things in perspective and really stepped up.”

Simon, a senior, threw for 187 yards with a touchdown and was Laguna’s top rusher with 91 yards and a touchdown. His scoring pass, covering 11 yards in the fourth quarter to draw the Breakers within 21-18, went to junior Ryan Blaser who had five receptions total 93 yards.

The 187 passing yards moved Simon past former Laguna quarterback Lance Stewart (2,439 yards, 1978-80) into the No. 8 spot for career passing. Simon has now thrown for 2,548 yards.

Senior back George Cracknell scored Laguna’s first touchdown on a three-yard run in the opening quarter.

The Breakers missed on two conversion attempts in the half and trailed, 14-12, at the break.

The loss left Laguna 1-3 overall.

Sage Hill also is 1-3 overall. The Lightning last week turned the ball over six times — four miscues coming on their first four possessions of the game, rallied late but fell short in a 26-22 loss at Los Angeles Windward.

Clarke said the Lightning, who trailed Windward, 26-7 entering the fourth quarter, has an offense that will challenge the Breakers’ defense.

“They chuck the ball round the field, and stretch you out vertically,” he said. “Their wide receiver [Jacob Copeland] is a good-looking kid, their quarterback [Caden Sheetz] is a good-looking kid, and their running back [DJ Henry] does some nice things in the backfield. They are keys to their offense.”

Sheetz was intercepted four times by Windward but still threw for 230 yards. Copeland was on the receiving end of two TD passes, and Henry scored on a 30-yard run.

Clarke said the Breakers still will be without the services of injured junior lineman Rob Luecke (dislocated knee cap).

Friday’s game at Sage Hill is Laguna’s last contest for two weeks. The Breakers head into a bye week next week and will begin preparations for their Orange Coast League opener which is Oct. 9 against Costa Mesa at Guyer Field.

The Mustangs are ranked No. 9 in this week’s CIF-SS Southern Division poll.

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Football Season Log (1-3)

0...Valley Christian...50

16...Bolsa Grande...12

0...Segerstrom...45

18...Westminster...28

Friday: at Sage Hill, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9: *Costa Mesa, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16: at *Saddleback (Segerstrom High), 7 p.m.

Oct. 23: *Estancia (homecoming), 7 p.m.

Oct. 30: at *Calvary Chapel (Ocean View High), 7 p.m.

Nov. 6: at *Godinez (Segerstrom High), 7 p.m.

(*denotes Orange Coast League game)