ORANGE COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL : Empire League : Griffins Record 5th Shutout : Loara Whithers Under Los Alamitos’ Surge in Second Half, 31-0

Which team is currently playing the best football in Orange County? A good case could be made for Los Alamitos High School after the Griffins’ 31-0 victory over Loara Friday night in front of 3,000 in Handel Stadium at Anaheim.

For openers, the Griffins (5-1) recorded their fifth shutout of the season and lowered their points-against average to 1.6 points a game, the best mark in the Southern Section. Los Alamitos also intercepted 3 passes and limited Loara to 68 yards rushing.

Griffin running backs Marcus Garcia (106 yards in 27 carries) and Frank Beckton (105 in 11 carries) led the rushing attack. Garcia ran for two touchdowns and Beckton rushed for another. They have now combined for 15 touchdowns.

What’s more, sophomore quarterback Todd Gragnano completed 6 of 13 passes for 125 yards, including four completions for 86 yards in the final 40 seconds of the first half that set up Eric Lange’s 22-yard field goal, the only score of the half.

All of which adds up to Los Alamitos’ fifth shutout victory in six games and set up a showdown with El Dorado (5-0-1) next week for first place in the Empire League.

“I really like the shutout,” said John Barnes, Los Alamitos coach. “We’ve gone 16 quarters now without being scored on. When you stop to think that a fumble or a pass interception can lead to a score, you realize we’re playing good football on both sides of the line.”

Loara (3-3) gave the Griffins fits in the first half and nearly scored on its first possession. The Saxons, relying on the rushing of sophomore tailback Coy Collins, drove to Los Alamitos’ 20-yard, but Griffin strong safety Shane Loftis ended the drive with an interception at his own five-yard line.

Loara also drove to the Los Alamitos’ 26 and 32 in the first half, but the Saxons’ only scoring chance failed when kicker Don Bradshaw’s 43-yard field goal attempt was wide to the right.

Los Alamitos pulled away in the second half, scoring two touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters. Garcia gained 79 of his game-high 106 yards in the second half and scored twice in the third quarter.

Garcia also got a big assist from teammate John Graham, who gave Garcia the shirt off his back early in the third quarter after Garcia tore his jersey in a pileup. Beckton added 91 yards in the second half and Pat Fairon’s returned his second interception 18 yards for the final score.

“I think we wore them down in the second half,” Barnes said.

“Loara did a great job controlling the ball in the first half, and Todd gave us a big lift setting up the field goal in the final seconds.”