Dominant first half propels Laguna Beach football to easy victory

The second season of the John Shanahan era is starting to look like the first. Shanahan, who guided the Laguna Beach High football team to an 8-5 record and an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 13 semifinals last year, was pleased at the end of the Friday’s home game against Bolsa Grande, and for good reason.

His Breakers opened with a big 48-21 win over Bolsa Grande, beating the Matadors for the sixth straight year. They led 48-0 at halftime.

“I think that all three phases of the game [special teams, offense and defense], our kids just played consistently,” Shanahan said. “They played hard, they executed the scheme, they executed the techniques and they just played a really clean football game.”

From the start, the Breakers were in no danger thanks to the duo of quarterback Curtis Harrison and wide receiver Adam Armstrong. The two hooked up for two touchdowns in the first quarter and helped put the Breakers up 24-0 after the first 12 minutes.

“I’m real proud of Curtis Harrison. He’s dramatically better than he was last year, and it’s all due to his work ethic and consistency,” Shanahan said.

The Laguna Beach defense was also strong as it held Bolsa Grande without a first down in the first quarter.

The Matadors broke Laguna Beach’s shutout in the third quarter thanks to a seven-yard touchdown from Elian Gallegos. But by the time Bolsa Grande got on the board, a running clock was in effect.

“I thought we played well because we practiced so hard over the last three months. We’ve gotten better and better every single day,” Shanahan said.

Bolsa Grande 21, Laguna Beach 48

Bolsa Grande…….0 0 7 14 – 21

Laguna Beach….24 24 0 0 – 48

First Quarter

LB – Handel kick 24 FG, 8;51

LB – Armstrong 7 pass from Harrison (Handel kick) 7:08

LB – Nolan 19 pass from Harrison (Handel kick) 4:07

LB – Armstrong 1 pass from Harrison (Handel kick) 1:39

Second Quarter

LB – Bell 19 pass from Harrison (Handel kick) 11:28

LB – Nolan 45 pass from Harrison (Handel kick) 8:37

LB – Handel kick 36 FG, 3:57

LB – Nolan int., TD 55 run (Handel kick)

Third Quarter

BG – Gallegos 7 run (Gallegos kick)

Fourth Quarter

BG – Bradley 37 pass from Hernandez (Gallegos kick) 7:00

BG – Vu 7 pass from Hernandez (Gallegos kick) 2:04

TERAN RODRIGUEZ is a contributor to Times Community News. Follow him on Twitter: @TeranRodriguez1