Breakers look for relief on road trip

The Laguna Beach High football team will leave the friendly confines of Guyer Stadium today for a long bus journey to Riverside, where the Breakers will take on the Notre Dame Titans.

Then again, Guyer Field hasn’t been so friendly lately.

In its last two home games, played there the last two weeks, Laguna was shut out by both University and Capistrano Valley.

In their most recent outing, Capistrano Valley took advantage of Breakers turnovers to post a 49-0 victory. . That score, Laguna Coach Jimmy Nolan says, was not indicative of the fight his Breakers put up.

He said his troops showed up to “play tough.”

“They did just that,” he said. “Anyone at that game knows it could have been a much different outcome. I feel we outplayed them the entire first half. We gave them their second touchdown, should have scored the drive prior, and missed an easy field goal early on. If we go into halftime tied, or up 10-7, that game is much different.

“We played them tough the entire game. When a small school like us plays guys both ways all game long, against a team like Capo with fresh players on both sides of the ball, eventually exhaustion sets in and we shoot ourselves in the foot with turnovers.”

Laguna takes a 2-4 record into Riverside for tonight’s game against Notre Dame, which is 3-1-1 after last week’s loss at Big Bear. Kickoff for the nonleague game is 7 p.m.

The Breakers defense will be tested by a Notre Dame offense that favors the run, led by running backs Keith Sklarsky and Kenjon Barnes.

Sklarsky has rushed for 576 yards and has scored 10 touchdowns and Barnes has run for 434 yards and has six touchdowns.

The Titans have attempted just 27 passes all season yet average 32 points per game.

After tonight’s game, the Breakers get a break. Next week, Laguna is idle and resumes play Oct. 26 when the Breakers enter the new Orange Coast League for a game against Calvary Chapel.

Nolan says at this point in the season, his team is progressing to the point where he wants it.

“I saw a new energy and toughness from our boys last Friday night and I feel good about the next four games,” he said.

“We are right where I want to be. We scheduled some tough opponents to be ready for league. I believe it will pay off.

“We’ll have a tough game against Notre Dame this week, then have a healthy week off to heal, and then the party starts. Sure, we are 2-4, but it’s better to have played tough opponents. League matters, pre-league does not.”

In order for his offense to get on track, Nolan said the focus is simple.

“We cannot turn the ball over,” he said with special emphasis. “We have thrown interceptions that never should have been and we have fumbled the ball for no reason, other than lack of concentration. We have had more foolish penalties than most teams have in five years.

“Basically, we have to stop beating ourselves. We’ve moved the ball against everyone. We’ve proven capable against everyone. Hopefully by now, we’ll have lived and learned.”

Name: Zach Smith

Position: Running back/linebacker

Height/weight: 5-5, 166

Year: Sophomore

Name: Mitchell Scott

Position: Linebacker

Height/weight: 5-9, 150

Year: Senior

Highlights: Smith and Scott drew kudos from Coach Jimmy Nolan for their performances in a 49-0 nonleague loss to Capistrano Valley. The pair share the MVP label from the Oct. 6 game.

Coach’s comments: “Zach ran hard each time he touched the ball and made some plays on defense,” Nolan said. “He stepped it up against a superior opponent.

“Mitchell decided to lead our defense. He played relentless and was all over the field, making 12 tackles. We need that kind of leadership on defense.”

BREAKERS’ FOOTBALL LOG

Laguna Beach (2-4)

7...Corona del Mar...34

18...La Quinta/Westminster...0

6...Santiago/Garden Grove...33

27...Segerstrom...6

0...University...27

0...Capo Valley...49

Today: at Notre Dame/Riverside

Oct. 20: bye

Oct. 26: at Calvary Chapel

(at Orange Coast College)

Nov. 3: vs. Estancia

(Homecoming; Senior Night)

Nov. 10: vs. Costa Mesa

(at Newport Harbor High)