High School Football: Los Amigos holds off La Quinta
GARDEN GROVE — The Garden Grove League contest between Los Amigos High and host La Quinta at Bolsa Grande High School on Thursday pitted the high-powered running game of the Lobos led by Steven Hernandez against the Aztecs’ prolific passing game.
Hernandez added to his 1,000-yard-plus season, rushing for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries
But it was the Los Amigos defense, particularly in the second half, that made the difference in a 17-16 victory for the Lobos.
It was game with a lot on the line for both teams in terms of league standings and playoff spots.
Heading into the final week of the season, the Lobos (6-3, 3-1 in league) are now in a second-place tie with the Aztecs (7-2, 3-2), with Garden Grove alone in first place.
Garden Grove plays Bolsa Granda on Friday and closes out league play against the Aztecs in the regular-season finale and the Lobos play Rancho Alamitos who have struggled in league play.
A possible scenario is for Garden Grove to finish in first and the Lobos and Aztecs finishing second, Agnew said.
If that winds up being the case, the Lobos would be the No. 2 seed from the league because of their head-to-head victory over La Quinta.
“We won today so we’re in [the playoffs],” Los Amigos Coach Karl Agnew said. “This was huge.”
Aztecs’ quarterback Michael Nadeau was effective in the first half, completing five of 10 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
The Aztecs led 10-9 at the half but were shut out in the second half.
“We got into halftime and made sure we didn’t panic and just settled down and did our jobs and it really made a big difference,” Agnew said.
Nadeau completed just five of 20 passes in the second half, including four consecutive incompletions late in the fourth quarter from the Los Amigos 26-yard line and with the Lobos hanging on to a one-point lead.
“I think we tightened up the coverage,” Agnew said. “I think our guys got a little more used to how fast he was throwing the ball and how quick he was getting rid of it.”
The third quarter was scoreless with neither team able to muster a consistent drive.
A 47-yard punt by Joseph Ramirez gave the Aztecs possession on their own 23 with 7:10 remaining in the game.
Three plays into the drive, the Lobos’ Walter Santana recovered a fumble, giving Los Amigos possession on the Aztecs 31.
The Aztecs drove inside the 10 and on a second-and-goal from the 9, Hernandez ran for a touchdown – his second of the game -giving the Lobos a one-point lead that they never relinquished.
“Truly our motto all year is to win the second half,” Agnew said. “We won the second half again and that is all we want to do.”
Garden Grove League
Los Amigos 17, La Quinta 16
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Los Amigos – 3 7 0 7 – 17
La Quinta - 7 9 0 0 – 16
FIRST QUARTER
LQ – Do 18 pass from Nadeau (Arrendondo kick), 8:45.
LA – FG, Ramirez, 33, 2:50.
SECOND QUARTER
LQ – Medellin 33 pass from Nadeau, (Arrendondo kick), 9:27.
LA – Hernandez 49 run, (Ramirez kick), 7:27.
LQ – Safety, Felix, tackle in end zone, :01.
FOURTH QUARTER
LA – Hernandez 17 run, (Ramirez kick), 3:44.
INDIVIDUAL RUSHING
LA – Hernandez 34-209, 2 TDs.
LQ – Nadeau 7-33.
INDIVIDUAL PASSING
LA – Potts 1-4-0-22.
LQ - Nadeau 10-30-0-197, 2 TDs
INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING
LA – Antolin 1-22.
LQ – Medellin 3-93, TD.