Griffen Leads Southern Section Rally

Despite leading Santa Monica St. Monica to a Southern Section Division XI title last season, quarterback Chris Griffen was overlooked by major college recruiters.

But Griffen, who signed a letter of intent to play for NCAA Division II Fort Hays State in Kansas, got some revenge in the first “Gridiron War” on Saturday night at Santa Monica College.

Griffen threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to rally the Southern Section all-stars to a 26-23 victory over the Los Angeles City Section all-stars.

With the Southern Section trailing, 23-13, Griffen connected with Long Beach Poly’s Samie Parker on a 43-yard touchdown pass with 8:41 to play.

Griffen saved his best for the waning moments of the game, though, leading his team on a 10-play, 81-yard drive that culminated with his 16-yard touchdown pass to Devin Pitts of North Torrance for the winning touchdown.

The City drove to the Southern Section 27, but Banning’s Joe Martinez missed a 44-yard field-goal attempt as time ran out.

Griffen, named the game’s offensive most valuable player, completed nine of 21 passes for 128 yards. “Hopefully, I sent a message that I can play Division I ball, and I think they saw that tonight,” Griffen said. “I think we made a statement about the [Southern Section] tonight.”