Breakers hope to cut off Trojans

Mike Sciacca

The wing T is not an offense many high school teams come up against

too often, but for the Laguna Beach Breakers, it’s a yearly chore

when they meet up with the University Trojans.

Laguna will attempt to cut off the Trojans on the run tonight when

the Breakers host their Pacific Coast League rival in a 7 p.m.

kickoff at Guyer Field.

The Breakers, whose practices last week were limited due to the

fallout from the fires that raged throughout Southern California,

were back in full stride during the week, in preparation for

tonight’s game.

“It feels good to get back out there,” Laguna coach Dave Holland

said. “I know the kids were glad to get back out on the practice

field.

“We have a lot of preparing to do for University. They run a

difficult offense that is tough to go up against.”

A.J. Moskus, converted from a wide receiver to quarterback this

year, directs the Trojans’ wing T offense.

Moskus has thrown for just over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns,

with five interceptions.

He also has rushed for eight touchdowns.

“He’s a roll-out thrower and our main focus is to try to contain

him,” Holland said. “He can run and throw quite well.”

The Trojans have a balanced rushing attack, led by the foursome of

Moskus, Paul Montazer, Robbie Chan and Kendall Young, the team’s

leading rusher.

Holland has coached against University head coach Mark Cunningham

since 1985 and said that Cunningham has always fielded “well-prepared

teams.”

Cunningham’s current squad is 5-3 overall and 1-2 in PCL play

after last week’s 21-16 win over Calvary Chapel.

Laguna, meanwhile, is coming off a 41-12 loss to Tesoro.

Offensive highlights included Alex Wilson throwing for 167 yards

on 13 of 27 passing. He connected on two touchdown passes to Jake

Wheeler, covering 14 and 56 yards.

Wheeler led the Breakers in receiving with 103 yards on five

receptions.

The loss dropped Laguna to 3-5 overall and 0-3 in league.

“The kids played real hard but we made some fundamental mistakes,

which really hurt our changes,” Holland said. “We’ll be looking to

bounce back against University.”

The Breakers also will be out to end a five-game winless streak

tonight.

The only question mark at midweek was the availability of starting

running back and defensive back, Brandon Hooper, who suffered a

bruised rib in the Tesoro game.

Hooper rushed for 78 yards on six carries and had two receptions

total 23 yards against Tesoro.

A doctor’s appointment Wednesday was to determine whether or not

Hooper had been cleared to play tonight, Holland said.

Tonight’s game is the first of two consecutive home games for

Laguna, which closes out its regular season Nov. 14 against Calvary

Chapel.

“It feels good to end the season with a couple of home games,”

said Holland, whose Breakers opened the season with three consecutive

road games.

SEASON LOG

*--*

Laguna Beach (3-5, 0-3)

33 Palos Verdes 13

50 La Quinta 7

28 Bolsa Grande 20

13 Costa Mesa 41

28 Magnolia 36

21 *Corona del Mar 36

0* Northwood 35

12* Tesoro 41

*Denotes Pacific Coast League game

*--*