Estancia remains fired up

When the four-team Orange Coast League was formed, many onlookers thought the Estancia High and Laguna Beach football teams would be the favorites to grab the league’s two CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoff spots.

Estancia Coach Brian Barnes said the teams have been waiting for this game ever since an unofficial summer passing league matchup.

And, though there’s still one more week left in the regular season, tonight’s battle at Laguna Beach High between the Eagles (6-2, 1-0 in league) and the Breakers (3-5, 1-0) amounts to a league championship game.

The winner of the game ensures at least a share of the league championship, which is something Estancia hasn’t won since 1989, before some of the Eagles players were even born.

Estancia will have plenty of momentum, especially coming off a 17-0 win over Costa Mesa in the Battle for the Bell.

“This is the game the community and our team have been waiting for,” Barnes said. “Our kids know it’s a big game. Hopefully, eventually it’s a great rivalry. And hopefully, we can come out on top [tonight].”

To that end, Estancia will try to slow Laguna Beach standout senior Charley Bowman, who plays quarterback, receiver, punts and returns punts for the Breakers.

“He’s a stud,” Barnes said. “For us to win, we have to contain him.”

Laguna Beach’s offense in general differs from Estancia’s — Breakers leading running back Zach Smith has 264 rushing yards, while Estancia’s Rafael Alejandre has 873 yards on the ground.

Instead, Barnes said the Breakers are known for their trick plays.

Defensively, Laguna Beach will come out in several different formations, Barnes said, including four-four, five-two, and four-three.

But Laguna Beach will have to stop an Estancia offense that appears to be gelling at the right time. Costa Mesa tried to shut down Matt Redding, but that opened the door for Eddie Tomasek, who caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown from quarterback Mike Morley.