The Los Alamitos High School Griffins Varsity football team dominated the Huntington Beach Oilers Friday night, Nov. 5, at Huntington Beach Stadium, beating them by a score of 28-6.
With the Oilers well aware of return specialist Cody Paul, #5, and Nick Richardson, #4, they chose to squib kick on the kick-off. Lead by quarterback Dylan Lagarde, #3, Los Al went into a running offense. Cody Paul ran out an excellent off the left tackle run for 35 yards. However, in a rare error by Richardson—who fumbled the ball to Huntington Beach—the offense was stopped on what looked like a great play on the first drive.
Los Alamitos defense came out to play with vigor.
Kyle Zothneck, #62, playing one of his best games, stayed home at his position and was a real anchor on defense all night long. Zothneck continued to dominate the line forcing the Oilers runners to take alternate paths. With Zothneck plugging the offensive line of the Oilers, Terrance Brown, #27, filled in with great effectiveness on his individual tackling skills. Los Alamitos stiffened up and forced HB into kicking a field goal, giving the Oilers an early 3-0 lead.
Huntington Beach tried to avoid handing the ball to Cody Paul by attempting another squib kick. Paul scooped up the kick and ran 35 yards, giving the Griffins excellent field position. Lagarde quickly went to Richard Turner on a slant pass play for a 19-yard touchdown run.
This gave the Griffins a 7-3 lead with the extra point by Dan Boyer. On defense, Andrew Faraimo, #11, woke up the HB offense with three stunning continuous tackles that completely disrupted Huntington Beach’s offensive series.
Again, Zothneck teamed up well with Faraimo on this series of Griffin football.
Second quarter
Second quarter action was not successful with a Lagarde pass intercepted and what looked like a bad hand-off to Richardson, who fumbled the ball. On offense, Andrew “Cho Cho” Faraimo continued to spark the offense with slugging runs.
Faraimo’s first half stats looked good with a total of 82 yards. Keying the defensive backfield was Daniel Taylor, #20, with a key interception that stopped the Oilers best offensive series of the night.
Half Time Report
With no Los Alamitos band appearance on hand, the crowd entertainment was left to the HB Oilers’ band and celebrants for their seniors on the football team and cheerleaders. However, on the sidelines for Los Alamitos, this week’s Cheerleader of the Week goes to Paige Mullins—a senior this year and four-year member of the cheer team. Mullins was also selected as a captain for the squad. Mullins had her start in Pop Warner football cheering for two years. Besides the rigors of cheerleading at Los Alamitos, Mullins has developed a great sense of what is going on in the football field.
Third Quarter
Defense again stood prominent for the Griffins with Aaron Davis, #8, making critical first contact tackles that stopped the run before HB could break through the first line of defense. Richard Turner continued to come up quickly and put the stop on the Huntington Beach runner.
Eli Ghanen also made his presents known on many team tackles. On offense, Faramio, #11, was an absolute train wreck out of control.
It actually seems that Faramio wants to run into defensive players. He scored two touchdowns in the third quarter. On the second touchdown, Faramio was hit by two linebackers—or should I say he hit two linebackers and then took out the free safety with a headlong plunge with both arms pumping into the end zone.
Fourth quarter
With a 28-6 lead and with Los Alamitos having a great offensive night, the Griffins showed a lot of class by running out the last two minutes of the game. Again, a key coaching signature by Coach John Barnes.
Coach Barnes will continue with tough practice as the last game of league is upon us against arch rival Huntington Beach Edison.
This is for all the marbles and the Sunset League title. Edison is 7 p.m. today at Long Beach Veterans Stadium. Los Alamitos will need a large crowd, as the Huntington Beach Edison crowd will be there.
Want to win $10,000 cash by supporting the Los Alamitos Football program? For the purchase of $100, it can be all yours. Any questions please call Lori Pinkerton, at (562) 430-1341.
To ask questions and make suggestions or this column, contact Dutch at: Sunnewsdutch@yahoo.com.
