November 5, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Laguna Hills football team makes the most of a four-way passing league scrimmage

Hayden McKenna of Laguna Hills drops back for a pass. (Photo courtesy Harrison Zhang, For OC Sports Zone)

Laguna Hills football team doesn’t take part in too many passing games over the summer.

But Hawks Coach Mike Maceranka was pleased with how a four-way scrimmage against Northwood, Laguna Beach and Capo Valley Christian went on Thursday at Northwood.

“We hosted our 12 team tournament on June 1 and and Thursday night’s four way and one other four way at Woodbridge in mid July are the only passing leagues we do,” Maceranka said.

“We appreciate the way the night was run. All teams were competitive and well coached. In the summer we focus on all players playing. We bring both JV and varsity. Our varsity plays the first seven plays and our JV plays the last three plays. Kids rotate themselves in so all should play a lot.”

Maceranka praised the efforts of the teams that the Hawks faced.

“Overall I think all three teams we played did a great job,” he said. “They were all coming off very successful seasons in 2018 and it showed. They are well coached and the kids knew what they were doing and and played well. It was a great way to start our summer, we just came off our dead period on Monday and had not practiced since our tournament on June 1.”

Maceranka said he was pleased with the play of quarterback Hayden McKenna.

“He has played varsity since his freshman year and this year will be our full-time starter as a junior,” Maceranka said. “His experience showed and we expect big things from him. He is an outstanding leader and his work ethic is fantastic.

“Mitch Leigber is one of the top players in the county and he played like it. Senior Zayne Kratz played well on offense and defense and he is one of our top leaders.”

RELATED: More photos from the summer passing league games