From the primary sport of the season towards Inglewood by way of Thursday evening’s Alpha League opener towards Edison at SoFi Stadium, the query of how Los Alamitos (8-0) retains successful week after week stays one thing solely the Griffins can clarify.
There’s no “five-star recruit.” There’s no 10.5 100 meters runner. There’s no lineman bursting out of his uniform wanting just like the second coming of Aaron Donald.
What the Griffins are doing underneath veteran coach Ray Fenton exhibits what can occur when a bunch of neighborhood children have one another’s backs and gasoline themselves every week with the starvation to show how good they’re.
“It’s just a brotherhood,” working again Lenny Ibarra mentioned. “We play for each other.”
The Griffins gained their eighth consecutive sport Thursday evening at SoFi Stadium with a 41-22 conquer Edison. Ibarra ran for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Colin Creason had landing passes of 59 yards to Ashton Gogue and 74 yards to Beckham Hofland. The protection stopped Edison twice on fourth down within the third quarter to drag away.
Edison quarterback Sam Thomson handed for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Sam Edmisten rushed for 163 yards and had two touchdowns.
Los Alamitos led 21-16 at halftime. The Griffins’ key play of the primary half was a block of a 46-yard field-goal try that was returned 77 yards to the Edison two by Oscar Ocampo. That arrange a one-yard landing run by Creason simply earlier than halftime. Edmisten caught a seven-yard landing move from Thomson and had a seven-yard landing run to associate with a 59-yard run.
Los Alamitos had not performed since Sept. 26 after a two-week break, and the protection appeared like probably the most in want of a fast reminder, giving up lengthy runs and quick passes to the Chargers (5-3) earlier than making changes and taking management throughout a 20-0 outburst within the third quarter.
The Griffins subsequent play San Clemente earlier than ending the common season with a showdown towards Mission Viejo that can probably decide the Alpha League title and maybe a Division 1 or Division 2 playoff berth.
Ibarra, dedicated to Military, was slipping and breaking tackles repeatedly and easily refusing to go down with out a number of gamers collaborating in getting him to the turf.
Kamden Tillis (proper) receives chest bump from Ashton Gogue after scoring landing for Los Alamitos at SoFi Stadium.
(Craig Weston)
“That’s who he is,” Fenton mentioned. “He’s going to West Point. He’s a dude.”
It was as if Ibarra, 5 ft 11, 190 kilos, couldn’t be drained. He additionally performed on protection. His relentless working, mixed with the pace of Kamden Tillis (94 yards dashing) provides the Griffins a terrific one-two punch behind a veteran offensive line.
For these ready for Los Alamitos to lose a sport, there’s no indication the Griffins are going to do this any time quickly. It’s a magical season for a workforce made up of finest mates.
