Rancho Alamitos’ Kosi Dominates Bellflower

GARDEN GROVE — Running in something resembling a marsh didn’t slow down Rancho Alamitos running back Leo Kosi Friday night.

Kosi slogged his way to 183 yards in 32 carries and scored four times as the Vaqueros (11-0) hammered Bellflower, 50-21, in a Southern Section Division VIII first-round playoff game at Bolsa Grande High.

The Vaqueros advance to play Sunny Hills (8-3).

Kosi went over the 2,000-yard mark for the season, increasing his yardage to 2,061 yards in 11 games.

Kosi, a senior, also broke Jeff Byrd’s school career rushing record. He has 4,490 career yards, the sixth-best total in county history.

The Vaqueros appeared to score first when Taylor Yandell connected with Frank Ortiz on a 75-yard pass, but the play was called back because of an illegal man downfield. On the next play, Yandell hooked up with Nu Auatasi on an 85-yard scoring play that gave the second-seeded Vaqueros a 7-0 lead. Kosi added touchdowns of 20 yards and one yard to give them a 22-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Bellflower (5-6) gained only 73 yards on offense through the first three quarters, but stayed close because of some key special teams plays. An 80-yard kickoff return by Charles Lewis accounted for one touchdown, and a blocked punt set up a one-yard Lewis run that cut the lead to 22-13.

In the second half, Kosi added touchdowns of 52 and eight yards, and David Vickers contributed touchdown runs of 60 and 43 yards in the final quarter.