PREP EXTRA / SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Rancho Alamitos Still Undefeated in League

Rancho Alamitos is beginning to make a mockery of the preseason. The Vaqueros lost two of their first three games for the second consecutive year, and for the second year in a row they are finishing mighty fast.

They steamrolled fifth-ranked Los Amigos, 28-9, Friday night in front of 2,200 at Bolsa Grande High, and moved into the driver’s seat in the Garden Grove League. Rancho Alamitos improved to 4-2, 3-0, while Los Amigos fell to 5-1, 1-1.

Tailback Chris Young did much of the damage, rushing for 212 yards and a touchdown in 29 carries. But Young had plenty of help from his offensive line and an inspired Rancho Alamitos defense that held Los Amigos running back Greg Fausto to 91 yards in 22 carries. Fausto had been averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

“People blame it on the kids, but maybe I’m just a slow-starting coach,” Rancho Alamitos Coach Doug Case said.

The Vaqueros didn’t start slow Friday however, as Young burst around left end on the game’s second play and sprinted 87 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. On the run, Young broke three tackles at the line and spun out of another at his 30.

Rancho Alamitos kept it mostly on the ground, but when it decided to throw, it was usually successful. Quarterback John Frank found wide receiver Jeff Turbarg wide open on a hitch-and-go pass from 32 yards out to give the Vaqueros a 14-0 lead after a quarter.

Los Amigos took the ensuing kickoff 70 yards in six plays for its only touchdown drive of the night, helped along by two late-hit penalties on Rancho Alamitos that resulted in 24 yards. Fausto capped the drive on a one-yard plunge.

But the Vaqueros, aided by an interception by Turbarg and 35-yard return, scored again seven seconds before the half on a one-yard sneak by Frank. The Lobos’ only serious threat of the second half led to a 24-yard field goal by Warren Roberge.

Young and Rancho Alamitos’ offensive line controlled the ball and the clock for most of the second half. An dazed and exhausted Young finally came out of the game with five minutes left and his team comfortably ahead, 21-9.

“He left it out there on the field,” Case said. “That’s the kind of effort that wins championships. He’s just a super kid. He transferred from Edison, but he’s fit right in.”

Young, who also played most of the way at safety, was supposed to have some help carrying the ball, but starter Kevin Allen’s sore right ankle lasted only one play.

“The line was really opening some big holes,” Young said. “A lot of people were doubting us, but we’re really coming together. Everything was working. It was great to see.”