Los Alamitos and Cypress High schools both improved to 2-0 in league play to keep league championship hopes alive. Los Alamitos faces a solid Corona del Mar squad on Friday.
Los Alamitos vs. Corona del Mar, 7 p.m. Friday at Veteran’s Stadium, Long Beach
After two lopsided wins in league play, Los Alamitos faces a Corona del Mar team that could pose more of a challenge. The Sea Kings are coming off a 41-7 win over Fountain Valley, after opening Sunset League play with a 21-7 loss to Edison.
The Griffins took care of Newport Harbor, 62-14, on Friday to improve to 2-0 in league play and 5-2 overall. Junior running back Anthony League rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Alonza Esparza threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Griffins’ offense. Esparza also rushed for a touchdown.
Sophomore running back Lenny Ibarra also had a 47-yard touchdown run and Lineman Manoah Faupusa had a one-yard touchdown run. Senior defensive back Isaiah Rubin got the scoring started with an interception return for a touchdown.
Cypress vs. Valencia, 7 p.m. Thursday at Valencia High
Cypress improved to 2-0 in Empire League play with a 21-7 win over rival Kennedy High on Friday. Senior running back Jesse Mauldin rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Centurions to the win. Rocco Burdett also added a rushing touchdown as the Centurions held off a game Kennedy squad. The Cypress defense held the Fighting Irish to seven points, getting four quarterback sacks and an interception by Chasen Sparks.
The Centurions face a Valencia team that is 3-4 overall and 0-2 in Empire League play after a 42-7 loss to Tustin last week.
Kennedy vs. Pacifica, 7 p.m. Friday at Handel Stadium
Kennedy battled rival Cypress on Friday, but came up short in a 21-7 loss. Kennedy’s defense kept the Fighting Irish in the game with a tough stance against a dangerous Cypress offense. An interception and fumble recovery by the defense helped thwart the Cypress offense. Junior quarterback Devin Almazan threw for 163 yards and a touchdown to Rocco Street. Devin Bell had 10 catches for 96 yards, but the Cypress defense held the Irish run game to just 20 yards.
The Fighting Irish fell to 5-2 and 0-2 in league play, but will look to get its first league win at home against Pacifica on Friday. The Mariners are 1-6 overall and 0-2 in league after losses to Cypress and Crean Lutheran.