Quarterback Hayden McKenna huddles the Laguna Hills offense in a game last season. (File photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)
After learning about the CIF plan to reschedule high football for Jan. 8, 2021, Laguna Hills Coach Mike Maceranka went to work to finalize a new schedule.
High school football normally starts in August but this season is being tentatively moved to January as part of a new two-season sports plan by the CIF Southern Section in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
If football can be played, the Hawks will compete in the revamped Pacific Coast Conference. Laguna Hills will be in the Pacific Hills League.
“We lost our week zero game and struggled to find a week one opponent,” Maceranka said.
“Very few teams had week one openings. Our two out of county opponents are strong programs. San Marino is a CIF finalist from 2018 and Dominguez has a strong history of success and has a lot of college football players coming from their program.
“Our lone Orange County opponent is Estancia who is coached by Mike Bargas and always a very competitive team, they are always tough. We then enter the non-league portion of conference play and end with the Pacific Hills games in weeks eight to 10.
“We feel we are embarking on one of the most competitive league seasons we have ever played. Our league schedule is going to be fun, all four teams are very similar and each week will be very competitive and any of the four teams can win it.
“This will be exciting if we can get through this health crisis together and actually get back on the field.”
The Hawks will be led by all-purpose player Mitch Leigber, who has committed to play college football at Stanford and quarterback Hayden McKenna, who is also attracting interest among college coaches.
2021 LAGUNA HILLS SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 8, Domingez (H)
Friday, Jan. 15, at Estancia
Friday, Jan. 22, at San Marino
Thursday, Jan. 29, vs. Woodbridge at Uni
Friday, Feb. 5, Beckman (H)
Friday, Feb. 12, at University
Friday, Feb. 19, Irvine (homecoming)
Pacific Hills games:
Friday, Feb. 26, Dana Hills (H)
Friday, March 5, Northwood (H)
Friday, March 12, at Portola
(Send football news to timburt@ocsportszone.com)
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