Griffins Look Like Old Selves

John Barnes couldn’t keep a secret any longer and the smile that creased the coach’s face after Thursday night’s opener told much of the story. Sure, Los Alamitos lost 17 starters from last year’s team that went 11-2 before losing in the second round of the playoffs.

Big deal.

The Griffins proved with their 42-0 nonleague victory over Cypress at Veterans Stadium they aren’t ready to surrender their perennial position as one of the county’s best football teams.

They rolled up 384 yards total offense and let the Centurions get no deeper than the Los Alamitos 23-yard line.

Senior quarterback Sean Stein, a wide receiver who had only a handful of snaps in a mop-up role last season, completed 11 of 15 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns, including a 51-yard flanker screen to senior Chris Millard that staked the Griffins to a 34-0 third-quarter lead. Millard set up two first-half scores with interceptions. Jason Wimbish rushed for three touchdowns. Ife Ohalete scored on a 28-yard pass from Stein and set up another touchdown with an interception.

The victory was important Barnes said, because it showed all the talk Los Alamitos is facing a major rebuilding year might be premature. The Griffins, who traditionally occupy one of the top three rankings in the county each season, is ranked only No. 7 in the preseason poll. Barnes was pleased the Griffins held Cypress to 133 total yards.

“We got so much hype last year and we have so many neat kids this year that I thought I wouldn’t say anything before the season began because I don’t want to put pressure on them,” he said. “But I’m happy with the win, the kids are confident, our offensive line played well and our quarterback was right on. We’re really tickled.”

Cypress, of course, is not traditionally the caliber of team the Griffins will face in the Sunset League. The Centurions are coming off a 1-9 season.

Stein and company, however, saw to it the Griffins had this one in the bag by the half. Wimbish scored on a one-yard run with a little over three minutes left before intermission. Los Alamitos defensive back Josh Brannon forced a fumble on Cypress’ next series, and Stein passed 23 yards to senior wide receiver Ryan Dunbar.