From the first game of the season against Inglewood to Thursday night's Alpha League opener against Edison at Sofi Stadium, how Los Alamitos (8-0) continues to win week after week remains something only the Griffins can explain.
There is no such thing as a “five star recruit.” There is no such thing as a 10.5 100 meter runner. No lineman breaking out of his uniform would look like the second coming of Aaron Donald.
What the Griffins are doing under veteran coach Ray Fenton shows what can happen when a bunch of neighborhood kids support each other and fuel their hunger every week to prove how good they are.
“It’s just brotherhood,” running back Lenny Ibarra said. “We play for each other.”
The Griffins won their eighth straight game Thursday night at Sophie Stadium with a 41-22 victory over Edison. Ibarra rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Colin Creason threw 59-yard touchdown passes to Ashton Gogue and 74-yard touchdown passes to Beckham Hofland. The defense stopped Edison twice on fourth down in the third quarter to pull away.
Edison quarterback Sam Thomson passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Sam Edmisten rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Los Alamitos led 21-16 at halftime. The Griffins' key play in the first half was a blocked 46-yard field goal that Oscar Ocampo returned to Edison for two 77 yards. That led to a one-yard touchdown run by Creason just before halftime. Edmisten caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Thomson and ran for a seven-yard touchdown before rushing for 59 yards.
Los Alamitos hadn't played since Sept. 26 after a two-week layoff, and the defense looked like it needed a quick reminder most, giving up long runs and short passes to the Chargers (5-3) before making adjustments and taking control during a 20-0 spurt in the third quarter.
The Griffins will next play San Clemente before finishing the regular season with a matchup against Mission Viejo that will likely decide the Alpha League title and possibly a berth in the Division 1 or Division 2 playoffs.
Ibarra, an Army loyalist, repeatedly slipped and broke tackles and simply refused to go down without multiple players to get him to the turf.
Camden Tillis (right) was hit in the chest by Ashton Gogue after scoring for Los Alamitos at Sofi Stadium.
(Craig Weston)
“That's who he is,” Fenton said. “He's going to West Point. He's the dude.”
It was as if Ibarra, 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, couldn't get tired. He also played defense. His relentless running combined with the speed of Camden Tillis (94 yards rushing) gives the Griffins a stunning one-two punch behind a veteran offensive line.
For those expecting Los Alamitos to lose the game, there is no indication that the Griffins are going to do so anytime soon. It's a magical season for the best friend team.
