December 18, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

PHOTOS: Western takes over undisputed first place with 56-49 OT victory over Laguna Beach

Caine Savage of Western gains yards Friday night against Laguna Beach. (Photos courtesy Victor Baltazar, For OC Sports Zone).

Western’s football team is in first place in the Pac-4 League with one week left in the regular season.

The Pioneers (8-1, 2-0) moved into undisputed first place with a wild 56-49 victory in overtime over Laguna Beach Friday night. Ocean View and Laguna Beach are tied for second place with 1-1 records.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

“We had first possession and threw a 14-yard pass to Caine Savage and scored on our second play an 11-yard connection Isiah Del Toro to Caine Savage again,” said Western Coach Dan Davidson.

Caine Savage had 12 catches for 173 yards and three touchdowns to lead Western. Del Toro completed 22 of 27 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns.

“We stopped them on their drive on a great play on fourth down by sophomore Chris Lozano batting the ball away to save the game for us,” Davidson said. “His first varsity start in football.

“It was a great game going back and forth they tied it with five seconds to go on a fourth down connection.”

But Davidson said he was pleased with how his team responded.

“I was so impressed with the composure the boys had on responding twice on them tying the game and then forcing overtime the second time,” he said.

“Danny Walters and Ellis Nguyen caused problems all night with numerous tackles for a loss. We could not have done it without the outstanding play of our offensive line and the defensive pressure caused by Danny and Ellis.”

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