Los Alamitos’ Late Surge Overcomes Marina, 7-3

The legend has gone, but the understudy is filling in admirably.

Todd Gragnano, who quarterbacked Los Alamitos High School to three straight Empire League championships, is now at the University of Nebraska. But senior quarterback John Collins learned enough in three years to hit Tyler Cashman with a 29-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, giving Los Alamitos a 7-3 victory over host Marina High.

“Todd’s a good friend of mine,” Collins said, “so I’ve been around him, and when I get out there, I think, ‘I gotta do what he did.’ Although I know my limitations, I have high expectations.”

Collins completed 14 of 23 passes for 158 yards.

With Marina leading, 3-0, in the fourth quarter, Collins lofted a wobbly pass to Cashman for the only touchdown of the game, and Eric Wallace kicked the extra point.

Marina’s No. 1 fullback, Shawn Fulford, carried the ball more times for more yards--26 for 113-- than the entire Los Alamitos team (13 for 65).

Fulford’s two-yard apparent touchdown in the first quarter was nullified by a penalty, and Dan Armstrong gave Marina the early lead with a 28-yard field goal.

Los Alamitos Coach John Barnes was not satisfied.