PREP EXTRA / ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Bad Snap Leads to Dana Hills Heartbreak

MISSION VIEJO â€”  Dana Hills has experienced its share of defeats the last several seasons and second-year Coach Trace Deneke has experienced his share of frustrating moments.

And Friday night, during a 15-14 loss to host Laguna Hills, it added another chapter to the book of heartbreaks.

The Dolphins (1-4) played their best game of the year, according to Deneke. They led the Hawks (4-1) by 14 points midway through the third quarter. And they stopped a two-point conversion by Laguna Hills with 5:48 remaining.

But, with 3:28 left and leading by one, a bad snap over the head of Dana Hills’ punter/quarterback, John Morgan, landed in the end zone. Morgan grabbed the ball but was chased out of bounds by Jack Sortino for a two-point safety.

Laguna Hills then ran out the clock for its fourth consecutive victory.

“It’s the most frustrating in the short time I’ve been here,� Deneke said. “One day, when we put all three phases together, it’s going to be fun. I couldn’t be prouder.�

The Dolphins’ controlled much of the first three quarters of the game. Sophomore running back Julio Peraza shook off a nagging shoulder injury to rush for 85 yards in 15 carries. His nine-yard scoring reception in the second quarter capped a 15-play, 95-yard drive. And he slipped past several would-be tacklers during a 13-yard touchdown run in the third.

But the Hawks rallied right back with a 58-yard drive. Mike Jones (23 carries, 106 yards) scored from the one. And then in the fourth quarter, the Hawks drove 62 yards in 12 plays, with Jay Johnson catching a three-yard pass from Cory Pardoe that brought them to within one.