One way or the other, someway, Los Alamitos is your Southern Part Division 2 soccer champion. A crew of overachievers stuffed with a roster of finest pals mixed chemistry, dedication and toughness to beat all odds.
Saturday evening earlier than an overflow crowd at San Clemente Excessive, the Griffins recorded seven sacks and took benefit of one of many strangest touchdowns scored by a lineman to beat the Tritons 33-20. This identical Los Alamitos crew misplaced to San Clemente 28-9 in a league sport on Oct. 24.
“I’m not smart enough to articulate how I feel and how proud I am of these guys,” stated Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton, who was hugging one participant after one other.
Los Alamitos (12-2) obtained a sensational efficiency from quarterback Colin Creason, who accomplished his ultimate 13 passes and mixed with the Griffins’ sturdy operating again tandem of Kamden Tillis and Lenny Ibarra to generate sufficient offensive firepower to finish San Clemente’s five-game profitable streak and ship the Griffins their first championship since 2002.
The sport modified on consecutive performs late within the third quarter after San Clemente took a 20-17 lead on a 35-yard subject aim by Ethan Miller. Creason accomplished a shovel cross to tight finish Beckham Hofland contained in the five-yard line, however he fumble the ball. It went off the leg of a San Clemente defender and was picked up by offensive guard Luke Wehner, a rugby participant who knew precisely what to do to attain his first highschool landing — run towards the aim line. He went seven yards for a 24-20 lead.
“I was so scared,” Hofland stated.
Stated Wehner: “I was not expecting that at all.”
Then Los Alamitos pressured a San Clemente fumble on the following offensive play that was recovered by Hunter Eligon. Tillis scored a 22-yard landing for a 30-20 lead. The momentum and the sport had switched to Los Alamitos.
People saved stepping ahead to ship huge moments for the Griffins. Jackson Renger had two of his crew’s seven sacks. Hofland had a 24-yard landing catch and two subject objectives. Tillis rushed for 141 yards. The versatile Ibarra had an interception, a 65-yard punt and rushed for 99 yards. And Los Alamitos’ offensive line saved creating alternatives for Creason and the operating backs.
The primary half led to a 17-17 impasse when Hofland made a landing catch for Los Alamitos with 39 seconds left. San Clemente had opened a 17-3 lead behind Jaxson Rex, who had a 25-yard catch, pressured a fumble and made an interception. Colin Granite scored two touchdowns on quick runs.
Los Alamitos’ no-huddle, up-tempo offense began to trigger issues for San Clemente’s protection. Tillis had 100 yards speeding at halftime whereas Creason had 156 yards passing.
Los Alamitos gained the Southern Part Division 2 championship with a 33-20 win over San Clemente.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Instances)
Los Alamitos began the season 8-0, then misplaced to San Clemente and Mission Viejo in consecutive Alpha League video games. The Griffins regrouped and by no means stopped believing in themselves. They’re anticipated to face San Diego Part champion Cathedral Catholic in a state playoff sport subsequent weekend.
