Carey Has ‘Pretty Normal’ Game as Los Alamitos Wins

It was another typical night for quarterback Tim Carey and Los Alamitos, the county’s top-ranked and undefeated team and the top-seeded team in the Division II playoffs.

Carey threw three touchdowns and ran for another to help Los Alamitos defeat Arcadia, 41-14, before 3,000 in a first-round playoff game Friday at Gahr High.

Los Alamitos (11-0) plays Fountain Valley next week. Fountain Valley (8-3-1) defeated Downey Warren, 44-28.

Playing against Arcadia’s seven-man front, Carey completed 17 of 26 passes for 238 yards before leaving the game midway through the third quarter.

“For a 4-6 team, Arcadia is pretty tough. With a seven-man defense they pretty much forced us to pass. Our line blocked up for me and gave me time to throw,” Carey said.

Said Los Alamitos Coach John Barnes: “They pressured us early and we adjusted; they made us throw and we threw. It was a pretty normal night for Carey.”

Carey’s touchdown passes included one for 28 yards to Brad Melsby, one for 21 yards to Don Ruberio and one to George Sagen for 19 yards.

With two minutes 25 seconds left in the first quarter, Zack Kahler recovered an Arcadia fumble at the Apaches’ 13-yard line. Three plays later, Carey scored on a 17-yard run.

Sagen, who caught seven passes for 111 yards, was sidelined in the final 38 seconds of the second quarter with what appears to be a bruised right thumb. He initially sustained the injury on his last reception, then hurt it again when he later attempted to recover a fumble by Carey.

“I’m sure it’s just a bruised thumb and I’ll be all right, but I’m having it X-rayed after the game,” Sagen said.