Breakers battle back to tie Eagles

Friday’s Pacific Coast League game was not only the season finale for

both Laguna Beach High and Calvary Chapel, but was the career and

homestand finale for eight Breaker seniors.

The result was a 14-14 tie between the two teams, as Laguna

rallied from a two-touchdown halftime deficit in Dave Holland’s final

game as head coach of the Breakers.

The comeback began in the third period when senior Brandon Hooper

scored on a one-yard run to make it 14-6.

It continued in the fourth quarter when Alex Wilson and Brae

McMullen teamed on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Wilson’s two-point

conversion run knotted the score at 14-14.

The Breaker defense came up big late in the game and preserved the

tie when Calvary Chapel tailback Garett Breitfuss was tackled for an

eight-yard loss on an option pass play after the Eagles had marched

to the Laguna 17-yard line.

The tie ended Laguna’s winless streak at six games, dating back to

a 28-20 road win against Bolsa Grande on Sept. 18.

The Breakers opened the season with a 3-0 mark.

It was the final game for eight Laguna seniors. That group

includes Wilson at quarterback, Hooper, a running back/defensive

back, McMullen, a tight end/linebacker, receiver/defensive

back/quarterback Jake Wheeler, running back/defensive back Juan Luna,

linemen Kris Pearson and Chris Jenkins and tight end/linebacker Brett

O’Connor.

O’Connor rushed for a team-best 51 yards against Calvary Chapel

and Wheeler was the game’s top receiver with 56 yards on five

receptions.

“We had a real fine group of seniors leading the team this year,”

Holland said. “They’re not only good football players and fine young

men, but I believe they will be successful once they leave this

school.”

Final season log

*--*

Laguna Beach (3-6-1, 0-4-1)

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

13 *University 35

14 *Calvary Chapel 14

*--*

*Denotes Pacific Coast League game