Los Alamitos Player Injures Coach; Griffins Win

A Los Alamitos assistant football coach was taken by ambulance to a hospital Thursday night after being intentionally head-butted by one of his players during the Griffins’ 23-16 victory over Carson in front of approximately 4,500 at Long Beach Veterans Stadium.

Steve Scully, the Griffins’ first-year defensive backs coach, was struck in the face by starting junior cornerback Wayne Campbell late in the first quarter, Los Alamitos offensive line coach Gene Vollnogle said.

“(Campbell) hit him,” Vollnogle said. “I don’t really know” (what caused it).

Campbell was not allowed to return to the game and left the stadium.

Witnesses said Scully criticized Campbell for a mistake he made in coverage and Campbell assaulted him. Scully lost several teeth and was bleeding extensively, several Los Alamitos parents said.

What’s more, senior running back Phil Cruz, who rushed for more than 100 yards in the first two games for No. 1 Los Alamitos (3-0), is feared to have suffered torn ligaments in one of his knees, Coach John Barnes said. Cruz managed only four yards in three carries and did not play after the first quarter.

The game was also rough for sophomore quarterback Sean Stein. He completed only 11 of 28 passes for 214 yards with one interception, but did come through with two touchdown passes.

His second touchdown covered 16 yards and went to standout senior receiver Brad Melsby with 9 minutes 40 seconds to play in the game. That play and kicker Ben Hughes’ point-after sealed the victory, running Los Alamitos’ unbeaten streak to 38 games.

The Griffins struggled throughout the first half but managed to lead, 17-16, at halftime against the Colts (0-3).