Ocean View football coach still proud of team’s effort despite opening round 30-14 loss to Irvine

Coach Luis Nunez meets with his Ocean View players after Friday’s game against Irvine. (Tim Burt photo)

Ocean View’s football team had high hopes going into Friday night’s CIF Division 11 playoff opener.

The Seahawks, fourth-seeded in the division, shared the Pac 4 League title with Laguna Beach and Western.

But Ocean View couldn’t get going in the first half, fell behind 24-0 and lost to an inspired Irvine team 30-14 in the playoff opener at Irvine Stadium. Two key turnovers and more than 100 yard in penalties hurt Ocean View (9-2).

“It doesn’t take away from our season, we will be back next season. I think we’re going to learn from it,” said Ocean View Coach Luis Nunez. “It’s playoff football and I think our kids will learn from it and we will be bounce back.”

Irvine was particularly effective against Ocean View’s running game. Highly heralded quarterback Noah Hickman led the Seahawks. Nunez said Hickman injured his knee in the first half, but managed to keep battling along with a couple of other players who were injured.

Hickman led Ocean View passing for 102 yards and rushing for 105 yards. Rodrigo Adame rushed for 100 yards and a had a 12-yard touchdown run. Will Earthman had the other score when he hauled in a 7-yard TD pass.

“We love to run the football,” Nunez said. “That’s where we’ve had most of our success this year. The run sets up the pass.”

Nunez said the Seahawks can be proud of their season.

“I can’t complain,” he said. “It’s been an unreal ride. Unfortunately it ended tonight and we have nothing to be ashamed of, first league title in 29 years and nine wins, like I told the boys we were a win away from winning 10 games.

“That’s very difficult to do. We will bounce back. Our staff is hungry and we have some young kids who are hungry. They got a taste of it and hopefully that motivates them in the off-season to keep pushing.

“We just got outplayed, hats off to Coach (Erik) Terry and his staff, they did a great job.”

GAME STORY AND PHOTOS FROM FRIDAY’S OCEAN VIEW-IRVINE GAME

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com