Garden Grove League : Opportunistic Los Amigos Heading Toward Playoffs

Los Amigos High School turned three turnovers into touchdowns Friday night in Garden Grove Stadium in front of 500 spectators to defeat Santiago, 25-7, to become the third Garden Grove League representative in the Central Conference playoffs.

The win moved the Lobos to 3-2 league and 5-4-1 overall. Santiago (2-3, 7-3) finished fourth and will have to hope for a wild card on the strength of its overall record.

Santiago was hurt by two fumbles that were picked up by Los Amigos and returned for touchdowns. The other turnover was an interception of a pass that was knocked off course by the middle of the line.

“When you come out and cough up the ball three times,” said Santiago coach Fred DiPalma, “it is costly. We just gave them three scores.”

The Lobos offense only mounted one serious drive, a 72-yard march which consumed six minutes of the third period and was climaxed at the 1:09 mark when junior Lito Soifua cracked over from the one-yard line to erase a 7-6 Cavalier lead. After a missed extra point, the Lobos led 12-6

It was 18-6 three plays later when Lobo defensive back John Kuzmic recovered a Santiago picked up a fumble on the Cavalier 20 and dashed untouched for the score.

“We did not make any adjustments at half time,” Los Amigos coach Art Michalik said. “We just decided to get out there, suck it up and go play football like we can.”