Aliso Niguel Dominates Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH —  Aliso Niguel, the defending Southern Section Division VIII champion, had fallen on hard times this season, but all it took was a visit to Laguna Beach to lift the Wolverines’ spirits.

Aliso Niguel defeated the winless Artists, 47-0, Friday in a Pacific Coast League game.

“We finally put the package together,” said Aliso Niguel Coach Joe Wood, whose team improved to 2-5, 1-1 in league.

After a scoreless first quarter, Aliso Niguel put together a six-play, 85-yard scoring drive capped by a 36-yard touchdown run by sophomore Iman Nikzad, who finished with 113 yards in nine carries.

On its next possession, after a short Laguna Beach punt that was returned to the Artists’ 28-yard line, Aliso Niguel took only three plays to score. Lee Brennan caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jared Hill for a 14-0 halftime lead.

Nathan Eggins, who finished with a game-high 136 yards rushing, ran up the middle for a 44-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage in the second half.

Brennan scored his second touchdown in the third quarter, when he raced down the sideline after catching a short screen pass from Hill. Brennan had three receptions for 53 yards, and Hill was eight of 14 for 119 yards.

Junior Eric Suarez scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Laguna Beach is 0-7, 0-2.