Los Alamitos has their backs against the wall in terms of making the playoffs, after a 35-21 loss to Newport Harbor in a Sunset League football game on Friday at Newport Harbor.
The Griffins tried to rally in the second half, after a slow start, but came up short after pulling to within 28-21 with 3:32 left in the third quarter.
The Griffins (5-3, 1-2) had two more possession but could not close the gap, including missing a field goal after moving the ball to the Sailor 17 yard line.
After an interception with 5:35 left in the game, Newport Harbor was able to shut the door by eating up most of the final 5:35 with a 12-play drive that forced the Griffins to burn their final two timeouts and resulted in an A.J. Sweis five-yard touchdown run for the final 35-21 margin. Titus Hasson, who led the Sailors with 255 rushing yards, had 69 yards on 10 carries on the drive.
“We didn’t make enough plays, we had time we just didn’t make plays,” Barnes said.
The Griffins found life in the second half as they were not caught off guard on an onside kick attempt, and turned it into a short drive that ended with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Lagarde to Kendall Holmes that cut the lead to 28-14.
The Griffins grabbed momentum quickly as Lagarde hit Josh Caiquo for a 43-yard completion to the Sailor 15 yard line. Two plays later,
The Griffins held the Sailors on the ensuing possession and this time drove 73 yards in 14 plays to cut the lead to 28-21 on a 15-yard touchdown run by Paul. Lagarde connected with Caiquo on a key 22-yard completion for a third down.
The Griffin defense contained the Sailor offense for most of the second half and the offense got the ball back late in the third for a chance to tie the game. This time they drove to the Newport Harbor 17 yard line. Lagarde connected with Holmes on a fourth-and-eight play for a 23-yard gain to the 15 yard line. But a two-yard loss and two incomplete passes forced the field goal try that sailed wide.
The Sailors (4-4, 2-1) moved into a tie for second place with Huntington Beach.The Griffins are now in a fight for a top three finish and a playoff berth. The Griffins will host the Oilers on Friday at Long Beach Veteran Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Griffins would then finish the regular season at Marina on Nov. 10.
By Ted Apodaca
Los Alamitos has their backs against the wall in terms of making the playoffs, after a 35-21 loss to Newport Harbor in a Sunset League game on Friday at Newport Harbor.
The Griffins tried to rally in the second half, after a slow start, but came up short after pulling to within 28-21 with 3:32 left in the third quarter.
The Griffins (5-3, 1-2) had two more possession but could not close the gap, including missing a field goal after moving the ball to the Sailor 17 yard line.
After an interception with 5:35 left in the game, Newport Harbor was able to shut the door by eating up most of the final 5:35 with a 12-play drive that forced the Griffins to burn their final two timeouts and resulted in an A.J. Sweis five-yard touchdown run for the final 35-21 margin. Titus Hasson, who led the Sailors with 255 rushing yards, had 69 yards on 10 carries on the drive.
“We didn’t make enough plays, we had time we just didn’t make plays,” Barnes said.
The Griffins found life in the second half as they were not caught off guard on an onside kick attempt, and turned it into a short drive that ended with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Lagarde to Kendall Holmes that cut the lead to 28-14.
The Griffins grabbed momentum quickly as Lagarde hit Josh Caiquo for a 43-yard completion to the Sailor 15 yard line. Two plays later,
The Griffins held the Sailors on the ensuing possession and this time drove 73 yards in 14 plays to cut the lead to 28-21 on a 15-yard touchdown run by Paul. Lagarde connected with Caiquo on a key 22-yard completion for a third down.
The Griffin defense contained the Sailor offense for most of the second half and the offense got the ball back late in the third for a chance to tie the game. This time they drove to the Newport Harbor 17 yard line. Lagarde connected with Holmes on a fourth-and-eight play for a 23-yard gain to the 15 yard line. But a two-yard loss and two incomplete passes forced the field goal try that sailed wide.
The Sailors (4-4, 2-1) moved into a tie for second place with Huntington Beach.The Griffins are now in a fight for a top three finish and a playoff berth. The Griffins will host the Oilers on Friday at Long Beach Veteran Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Griffins would then finish the regular season at Marina on Nov. 10.
