Los Alamitos Wins Southern Section Division 2 Football Championship
Los Alamitos has emerged as the Southern Section Division 2 football champion, defying all odds with a team of overachievers who demonstrated remarkable chemistry, determination, and toughness. The Griffins’ victory came on Saturday night at San Clemente High, where they secured a 33-20 win over the Tritons in front of an overflow crowd.
The team’s success can be attributed to the outstanding performance of quarterback Colin Creason, who completed his final 13 passes, and the strong running back tandem of Kamden Tillis and Lenny Ibarra. Together, they generated sufficient offensive firepower to end San Clemente’s five-game winning streak and deliver the Griffins their first championship since 2002.
A Game-Changing Play
The game took a dramatic turn late in the third quarter when San Clemente took a 20-17 lead on a 35-yard field goal by Ethan Miller. However, on consecutive plays, the Griffins managed to turn the game around. Creason completed a shovel pass to tight end Beckham Hofland inside the five-yard line, but he fumbled the ball, which then went off the leg of a San Clemente defender and was picked up by offensive guard Luke Wehner. Wehner, a rugby player, knew exactly what to do and scored his first high school touchdown by running toward the goal line, giving the Griffins a 24-20 lead.
The momentum shifted further in favor of Los Alamitos when they forced a San Clemente fumble on the next offensive play, which was recovered by Hunter Eligon. Tillis then scored a 22-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 30-20. The Griffins’ victory was sealed with a series of big moments from individual players, including two sacks by Jackson Renger, a 24-yard touchdown catch and two field goals by Hofland, and 134 yards rushing by Tillis.
Team Effort and Perseverance
Los Alamitos’ no-huddle, up-tempo offense caused problems for San Clemente’s defense from the start. The Griffins had begun the season 8-0 but then lost to San Clemente and Mission Viejo in consecutive Alpha League games. However, they regrouped and never stopped believing in themselves, ultimately achieving a championship win.
The team’s coach, Ray Fenton, expressed his pride in the players, stating, “I’m not smart enough to articulate how I feel and how proud I am of these guys.” The Griffins are expected to face San Diego Section champion Cathedral Catholic in a state playoff game next weekend.
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