Laguna progressing in summer

Having just a week’s worth of practice under its belt, the Laguna Beach High football team traveled to Menifee on Saturday to participate in the Paloma Valley Passing Tournament at Paloma Valley High.

The tournament attracted more than 50 schools of all attendance sizes, several of which were large division schools.

Laguna played six games and worked its way into the consolation bracket.

In the opening games of the tournament, the Breakers beat Riverside Poly and Patriot (Riverside), played Indio and Calvary Chapel of Murrieta to tie scores and lost to both Great Oak (Temecula) and host Paloma Valley.

In consolation-bracket action, Laguna defeated Calvary Chapel (Murrieta) in overtime and lost to Ramona (Riverside).

“I’m happy with our performance,” Laguna Coach Jonathan Todd said. “We’ve only been practicing for a week when all the other teams had been going for almost a month. We were a little rusty but I saw a lot of good things.

“Our kids proved they can compete with anybody. Most of these schools were Division I and II schools with very large student populations.”

Todd said that 70 players, ranging from incoming freshmen to new and returning players, came out for the camp. The number, he said, was “a good turnout for us.”

Laguna opened summer practice July 7. The camp ends Aug. 9. Practice for the 2008 season opens Aug. 18 with two-a-days.

Laguna took on Capistrano Valley Christian on Thursday in a passing league game at Guyer Field. The outcome wasn’t available at press time.

MIKE SCIACCA covers sports. He can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or by e-mail at [email protected].