Griffins Quickly Dispose of Edison

Before many fans were settled into their seats, Los Alamitos had played fast-break football, ringing up 16 points in the first nine minutes to set the stage for a 34-8 victory over Edison Friday at Orange Coast College.

Receiver Brad Melsby caught six passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns and the Griffins’ defense forced four turnovers to help Los Alamitos (12-0) extend its unbeaten streak to 33 games and advance to the Southern Section Division II semifinals against Fountain Valley next Saturday. Edison finished 9-3.

Before the game, Edison Coach Dave White said the Chargers would have to play a perfect game to beat the top-seeded Griffins. But Los Alamitos capitalized on early Edison mistakes to put the Chargers in a hole.

“Everyone said we were vulnerable after last week,” Griffin Coach John Barnes said, referring to Los Alamitos’ 31-13 first-round victory over Downey Warren. “But we came ready to play tonight and made some big plays.”

Just 1 minute 38 seconds into the game, Los Alamitos quarterback Mike Good, who completed 15 of 22 passes for 175 yards with one interception, passed to Melsby in the left flat, and the junior wide receiver broke a tackle and scampered 50 yards up the left sideline for a 6-0 Griffin lead.

Although Edison blocked Jeff Kolasa’s extra-point kick try, Edison turned the ball over on its next possession when Timon Jeske fumbled after catching a pass for a 10-yard gain. Melsby recovered on the Los Alamitos 39.

Using a no-huddle offense, Los Alamitos moved 61 yards in 13 plays and 3:36, scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Good on fourth and goal.

After Los Alamitos recovered an on-side kick, Kolasa kicked a 26-yard field goal, giving the Griffins a 16-0 lead with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter.

Then Edison’s defense stiffened, allowing only one scoring drive the rest of the way.

“Edison is one of the hardest hitting teams we’ve seen this year,” Barnes said.

Los Alamitos only other scoring drive came before halftime, with Good rifling a seven-yard touchdown pass to Melsby to cap a 60-yard, eight-play drive with 2:20 remaining in the second quarter.

Enrico Bozman, who rushed for 61 yards in 17 caries, ran in the two-point conversion for a 24-0 Los Alamitos lead.

Edison scored its only touchdown to open the second half, driving 66 yards in 15 plays, scoring on a four-yard pass from quarterback Todd Belitz to Dan Emhof on fourth and goal.

Running back Michael Graham rushed for 114 yards in 21 carries and Belitz completed 13 of 20 passes for 109 yards for Edison.

Belitz’s scramble for a two-point conversion drew Edison to 24-8 with 3:42 remaining in the third quarter, then the Griffins defense helped put the game away.

Linebacker Marc Albert, who had two interceptions and one fumble recovery, stopped Edison’s next drive with an interception.

On Edison’s next possession, Robert Torres sacked Belitz to force the Chargers to turn the ball over on downs, and on the next play, Good lofted a 25-yard touchdown pass to Melsby in the left corner of the end zone for the final score.