Seahawks look to stay on roll

The Ocean View High football team has been on nothing short of a roll since the first weekend in September.

Since dropping their opener at Western on Sept. 3, the Seahawks (5-1) have won five straight — all five by no less than 16 points. They'll attempt to run that streak to six Friday when they take on Loara in a key league game. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.

Ocean View is ranked eighth in this week's CIF Southern Division poll. Two spots ahead of the Seahawks are the Saxons at No. 6.

Last Friday, Ocean View earned victory No. 5 by defeating host Orange, 30-14, in the Golden West League opener for both teams. The win was "special" in that it was the Seahawks' special teams that paved the way to victory.

"Our special teams stepped up against Orange," Ocean View Coach Harold Eggers said. "Mike Congelliere blocked a field goal, which was picked up by Colton Johnson and returned for a touchdown. Blake Walker punted the ball well, giving us great field position. Willy Jarus did great on the kickoff team and Brian Hernandez hit three field goals."

It was Johnson's scoop and run back of Congelliere's blocked field goal in the first quarter that led to a 7-0 Ocean View lead. Running back Timmy Robinson scored on two short runs and Hernandez connected on field goals covering 20, 30 and 44 yards.

Since losing, 34-19, to Western, the Ocean View offense has scored no fewer than 28 points in a game. The Seahawks head into Friday's showdown averaging 32 points per game. Their defense also has been stout. In the last four games, it has given up a total of 43 points.

"Defensively, we have been playing well," Eggers said, noting the play of Congelliere at linebacker and defensive tackle Tyren Hudson. "The improvement of our offensive line, Timmy Robinson always running hard and (quarterback) Noland Tippy managing the football game, has been some keys to our early successes."

Robinson has rushed for 750 yards and has scored 13 touchdowns in six games. Tippy had thrown for 820 yards and five scores.

Loara, competing in its first year in the Golden West League, went 5-0 in nonleague play and entered league play ranked second in the Southern Division. But the Saxons' didn't receive a warm welcome to the league last week by Westminster, which posted a wild, 42-35 victory. Like Ocean View, the Loara offense has been potent: the Saxons are averaging 33 points a game.