GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE : Byrd Takes Off for Four Scores in Rancho Alamitos’ Victory

GARDEN GROVE — Rancho Alamitos running back Jeff Byrd scored four touchdowns to lead the Vaqueros to a 41-13 victory over Kennedy Saturday night at Bolsa Grande High School in a Garden Grove League game that was postponed by Friday’s electrical storm.

Byrd gained 225 yards in 23 carries, most of his yards coming during a nine-minute span in the second quarter when the Vaqueros took a 28-0 lead.

Rancho Alamitos (6-1, 4-0 in league) amassed 418 yards rushing, but the Vaqueros were heavily penalized, drawing 13 penalties for 126 yards.

Kennedy (3-3-1, 1-2-1) unintentionally opened the floodgates in the first quarter when the Vaqueros were called for illegal procedure on a punt. Kennedy took the ball on its 30, but elected to have the Vaqueros re-kick. On the ensuing punt, Kennedy fumbled and Rancho Alamitos’ Justin Volkman recovered on the Irish 40.

Five plays later, Leon Vickers scored on a 17-yard run with 15 seconds left in the first quarter and the rout was on.

On the Vaqueros’ next possession, Byrd took a pitchout from quarterback Marshall Brown and circled left end for a 68-yard touchdown run.

Brown highlighted the next Rancho Alamitos scoring drive--an 81-yard march--with a 46-yard run to set up Byrd’s second touchdown, a one-yard run. Byrd went 70 yards for his third score with 3:15 left in the first half.

After two Tony Luce field goals made the score 34-0 in the third quarter, Kennedy quarterback John Guthrie threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Guillermo Marino.

Byrd scored his fourth touchdown on a nine-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter.