Griffins Tune Up for No. 1 : Prep football: No. 2 Los Alamitos gets running game, defense going in 41-0 rout of No. 9 El Dorado. Esperanza next.

If nothing else, Los Alamitos proved it can win with more than just the passing of quarterback Tim Carey as the Griffins cruised to a 41-0 Empire League victory over El Dorado Friday night at Cerritos College.

“Many people thought we just pass,” Los Alamitos Coach John Barnes said. “But we can run, too.”

Next Friday night, the Griffins, ranked second in Orange County and in Southern Section Division II, will find out if they have enough offense to beat top-ranked Esperanza.

Los Alamitos’ offense tuned up for Friday’s league showdown by rolling up 415 yards of offense, including 233 rushing, against previously unbeaten El Dorado.

Tailback Marchant Wright rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half.

Carey passed for 175 yards and three touchdowns as Los Alamitos avenged a 7-0 loss to El Dorado last season. The Griffins scored on six of nine possessions, including their first four.

Carey, who entered the game with 877 yards passing in his past three games, spent most of the first quarter handing off to Wright, who gained 60 yards on six carries.

“The line was opening some big holes for Marchant,” Carey said. “This was definitely our best game running the ball.”

Wright left with 1:53 left in the second quarter after suffering a blow to the kidney area.

“Marchant was pretty stiff and sore at halftime,” Barnes said. “We didn’t want to risk it (playing him in the second half).”

Los Alamitos (7-0, 2-0) extended its winning streak to 14 games, the longest in Orange County and second in the Southern Section to Baldwin Park’s 15. No. 9 El Dorado dropped to 6-1 and 1-1.

The Griffins led, 28-0, at halftime, scoring on four of their five first-half possessions. The Griffins had 242 yards total offense to El Dorado’s 22 yards.

Carey completed four of six passes for 73 yards, including touchdown passes of 11 yards to Brad Melsby and 19 yards to Don Ruberio. Wright added touchdown runs of 15 and two yards.

The Griffins’ second touchdown--Carey’s pass to Melsby--was set up by a 23-yard punt return by linebacker Marc Albert.

After the game, Barnes stood on a rain-drenched field and explained how pleased he was with his defense. Los Alamitos held El Dorado to only 57 yards total offense, including three rushing, and eight first downs.

“The defense played great,” Barnes said.

Are you going for your fifth shutout next week, coach?

“You think I’m going to answer that question?” Barnes asked.

He’ll get an answer next Friday.