When the gate opened, the San Juan Hills Stallions bolted at full speed and the Los Alamitos High football team could not keep pace. San Juan Hills handed the Griffins a 54-24 loss on Friday at San Juan Hills High.
The loss dropped the Griffins’ record to 2-2 as they head into their final non-league game before beginning defense of their Sunset League title. San Juan Hills jumped out to a 21-0 lead with just one minute gone in the second quarter, before the Griffins could get their offense going.
The Griffins eventually trailed 40-12 at halftime, but started the second half with a shot to get back into the game. The Griffins started the third quarter with an onside kick that they recovered at the San Juan Hills 45 yard line. However, the Griffins were unable to take advantage and eventually turned the ball over on downs.
Griffins quarterback Jack Telenko finished the night with 295 yard passing and a touchdown completion to Jacob Gasser. Gasser had 226 receiving yards on the night. Telenko also ran for 70 yards and a touchdown. R.J. Gonzalez ran for 99 yards and a touchdown to lead the Griffins ground game.
After the Griffins failed to capitalize on their onside kick recovery, San Juan Hills(5-0) came into the game ranked 7th in the CIF-SS West Valley Division rankings. Los Alamitos was ranked 4th in the same poll.
Gonzalez capped the Griffins’ scoring with a touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The run was set up by a big play completion from Telenko to Gasser down the right sideline. Los Alamitos will host Narbonne (2-2) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Long Beach Veteran Stadium. It will be their final non-league game before opening Sunset League play.
The Griffins open on the road against Edison, on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at Huntington Beach High. Last year the Griffins defeated Edison 35-14, to cap an undefeated league season.
