DIVISION VII : Sebreros Helps Garden Grove Run Past Troy

Any doubts that Jim Sebreros is one of the top running backs in the county were put to rest Friday night.

Sebreros rushed for 217 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead Garden Grove to a 30-14 victory over Troy in the first round of the Southern Section Division VII playoffs at Garden Grove High.

The Argonauts (5-6), seeded fourth in the division, will play San Luis Obispo, which defeated Sierra Vista 34-7, in Friday’s second round.

A week ago, it seemed as if Garden Grove would not make the playoffs.

Garden Grove forfeited four Garden Grove League games last week after using an ineligible player, which dropped them from second place into a tie for sixth with Santiago in the standings. But the Argonauts were voted into the playoffs by the principals of the league member schools, who were allowed to do so according to the league constitution.

The Argonauts, and particularly Sebreros, took the second chance and ran with it.

Sebreros, who entered the game with 1,314 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns, added to those numbers with some outstanding carries against the Warriors (5-5-1).

“Jimmy had a good night,” said Garden Grove Coach Jeff Buenafe.

After Troy marched 86 yards for a score on its first possession, a drive capped by a one-yard run by fullback James Hartford, Sebreros got the Argonaut ground attack in gear.

On second and eight from the Troy 33, Sebreros ran around left end and seemed to be trapped after a short gain, but he somehow broke loose for a 67-yard touchdown with 1 minute 44 seconds to play in the first quarter. The kick failed and Troy held a 7-6 lead.

Sebreros scored again halfway through the second quarter on a one-yard run after turning in two key runs on the drive, one for 37 yards and the other for 23.

Troy quarterback Brian Logan, who completed eight of 17 passes for a game-high 147 yards, and wide back Bryan Burchit quickly gave the Warriors the lead on a 74-yard pass play on the ensuing possession.

A 23-yard field goal by Brian Schneider, who doubles as the Argonaut quarterback, put Garden Grove ahead, 16-14, at the half.

Sebreros then finished the scoring with one-yard runs in the third quarter. He could have had another score, but a 14-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was nullified by a holding penalty against the Argonauts.

Hartford, who entered the game with 936 yards rushing, had 78 yards in 20 carries. Schneider was three of five for 45 yards for Garden Grove.

The Garden Grove defense was sparked by lineman Dan Rodarte (two sacks) and linebacker Jeff Meyers (one sack). Schneider, who also plays strong safety, intercepted a pass and linebacker Jacob Servin recovered a fumble.

“After the last seven or eight days, I’m so happy for our kids,” Buenafe said. “They seem to be able to climb every mountain.”