Laguna tangles with Estancia

As one of two undefeated teams left in the Orange Coast League, with Nov. 13 opponent Costa Mesa being the other, it could be tempting for the Laguna Beach High football team to look past Estancia in a road game tonight.

Not that Coach Jonathan Todd would advise it.

“I do worry about that all the time,” Todd said. “I just try not to even go there.”

Laguna Beach (3-5, 2-0 in league) is coming off a 43-29 nonleague loss to Oak Hills last Friday night. Junior quarterback Austin Paxson had 261 yards and four touchdown passes, three to Chris Paul (88 yards) and one to Norty Penney. Alec Jaffe also had another solid rushing game with 144 yards. For the season, Paxson has now broken the single-season record for touchdown passes with 21. Danny Lane had the old record of 17, set in 1987.

Paxson also has 30 career touchdown passes, which ties Alex Wilson’s record set from 2001-03. Estancia is 5-3 but 1-1 in league, coming off a 14-6 win over Godinez, although the status of senior tailback Alex Abalos (1,183 rushing yards) is in question.

“He wasn’t playing in the last game so we’re not sure what’s going to happen there,” Todd said.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Laguna Beach started the Orange Coast League individual championships Wednesday, but without singles player Taylor Nederlander and doubles player Haley Moss (both out sick).

“It really was kind of a bummer,” Coach Alec Horton said. “It is what it is. Hopefully they can be back for the end of the week, or obviously next week.”

Top-seeded Maddie Jaeger advanced to Thursday’s singles semifinals for the Breakers, where she was set to play Amy Ramirez of Calvary Chapel. Laguna’s Lauren Michaels was set to face Estancia’s Kendra Fisher in the other singles semifinal.

In doubles, the Breakers teams of Claire Jaeger and Bianca Sganga, as well as Alison Azera and McKenna Nokes, also made the semifinals.

GIRLS’ GOLF

Senior Grace Komoroczy advanced at the CIF Southern Regional Monday at Landmark Golf Club in Hemet, shooting a seven-over par 78.

Komoroczy tied for 31st; the top 45 golfers advanced to the CIF Southern Section Individual championships Monday at Talega Golf Club in San Clemente.

Komoroczy, who finished second individually in the Golden West League, started on the back nine and shot even-par 36.

“She ran into some trouble on the front nine and ended up scoring a 42,” Coach Val Quigley said.

“Even though Grace was getting some bad lies and some bad breaks on the front nine, she stayed focused and continued to hit smart shots Overall, Grace is hitting the ball well, giving herself a lot of birdie opportunities.”

BOYS’ WATER POLO

Laguna Beach, the Orange Coast League champion and ranked No. 3 in Division III, had a game at Huntington Beach Thursday and finishes up its regular season at home today against Mission Viejo, at 4 p.m. The Breakers then wait for the CIF playoff draws to be released at 11 a.m. Sunday.

CROSS-COUNTRY

The Laguna Beach teams were busy preparing for the Orange Coast League finals, which occurred Thursday after deadline. The Breakers now get ready for CIF preliminaries, to be held at Mt. San Antonio College on Nov. 14.