Empire League : Los Alamitos Moves Into First-Place Tie, 31-7

It has been nine years since Los Alamitos High School last won a league championship, but the Griffins will be playing for a share of the Empire League title next week after pounding Katella, 31-7, Saturday night in Glover Stadium.

The victory, coupled with Pacifica’s 28-7 upset loss to El Dorado Friday night, leaves the Griffins and Mariners tied for first in the eight-team league with 5-1 records, and one game remaining. Los Alamitos will face El Dorado next.

“Do you know how hard it is to win the championship in the Empire League?” asked John Barnes, Los Alamitos coach.

Obviously, it hasn’t been easy for his team.

The Griffins were the Empire League co-champions with Anaheim in the league’s first year in 1976 when it was a six-team alignment. They also won the Orange league title in 1969.

That has been the extent of the Griffins’ football glory until quarterback J.T. Snow and wide receiver Robby Katzaroff arrived on the scene. They’ve helped Los Alamitos win eight of nine games.

The duo teamed for two touchdowns against Katella and Katzaroff also added a 32-yard field goal. It wasn’t one of Snow’s better games, but three of his seven completions were for touchdowns. He completed 7 of 17 for 69 yards.

Tailback Pat Brown, starting only his fourth game, gained 218 yards in 22 carries and scored 2 touchdowns. Brown, a converted defensive back, averaged 9.9 yards per carry.

“We took what they gave us,” Barnes said. “Their defense was geared to stop our passing game which isn’t unusual. That’s what most teams try to do against us. Brown has given us an added dimension with his running.”

Snow made the most of his only two completions in the first half, throwing a 30-yard scoring pass to Katzaroff and an eight-yard score to Brown as the Griffins built a 21-0 halftime lead.

Brown had a big first half, gaining 151 yards in 16 carries and scoring twice. He had a 19-yard touchdown run on the Griffins’ first possession that took less than 2 1/2 minutes to go 74 yards.

Los Alamitos attempted only seven passes in the half but gained 197 yards rushing. Katella had 115 yards rushing and actually came close to scoring.

Tailback Terry Johnson, who paced the Knights with 77 yards rushing, fumbled the ball out of the end zone on an apparent three-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. It was that kind of night for Katella, which lost for the eighth time in nine games.