It was the first game the Los Alamitos varsity football team had ever played on the campus’ football field, aptly named John Barnes Field. But with all the hype and distractions at the school leading up to the game, the Griffins too seemed a little distracted in the first half.
It was the first game the Los Alamitos varsity football team had ever played on the campus’ football field, aptly named John Barnes Field. But with all the hype and distractions at the school leading up to the game, the Griffins too seemed a little distracted in the first half.
Head Coach Ray Fenton said they had suffered in recent weeks with poor Monday practices and the first half felt the same way, like the focus just wasn’t there. Luckily for the Griffins they were able settle down in the second half and eventually pulled away from the Spirits for a 42-28 victory.
“We did everything we could to lose this game and somehow won it,” Fenton said of the diverse halves.
After falling behind 14-0 and 21-14 in the first half, the Griffin defense shut down the Spirit offense in the second half. The only Paraclete points in the second half came on an interception return when the Griffin offense was looking to tie the game up at 21-21. Fenton said the Spirits appeared to fatigue as his line began to control the front.
“We started winning the one on one’s with their O-line,” Fenton said.
After the interception miscue put the Griffins in a 28-14 hole, the Los Alamitos offense also began to find its rhythm. Keanu Norman returned the ensuing kickoff close to midfield and the Griffins marched down to set up a Norman nine-yard touchdown run that cut the lead to 28-21.
On Paraclete’s ensuing possession, linebacker Issaiah Johnson hit the quarterback as he released a pass, causing the ball to flutter into the air. Safety Mike Magana went up to intercept the ball. A personal foul was called on the Spirits that set the Griffins up at the 14 yard line.
On the first play, Dylan Laurent took an end around handoff to the end zone to tie the game at 28-28. After another defensive stand the Griffins struck again, this time with quarterback Hayden Smith connecting with Zach Ruiz for a 47-yard touchdown pass.
Smith rolled right, then lofted the pass down the sideline. Ruiz turned to catch the ball behind the defender, then slipped out of a tackle attempt to race down the sideline to give the Griffins a 35-28 lead as the third quarter expired.
The Griffin defense continued to stymie the Spirit offense and Johnson recovered a Spirit fumble at the Paraclete 48 yard line with 4:00 left in the game. Los Al used an eight-play drive to eat up the clock, with Norman punching in the final touchdown from four yards with 53 seconds left in the game.
Norman had 88 rushing yards with three touchdowns and also had 82 receiving yards. R.J. Gonzalez had 50 rushing yards and Laurent added 48. Laurent also caught a touchdown 48-yard touchdown pass. Smith threw for 195 yards.
The Griffins travel to Lakewood High on Friday for a game against the Lancers at 7 p.m. on Friday.
