Los Alamitos Defense Stymies Esperanza

The fans crowded around Jerry Wenze after the game, treating him like a hero.

Handshakes, questions, requests for photos.

And to a large extent, he earned the status. His full-bodied layout catch of a Mike Sanford pass in the back corner of the end zone with 1:31 left to play Friday night at Valencia High gave Los Alamitos a 14-10 Sunset League victory over longtime-rival Esperanza.

But the true heroes in this game weren’t even on the field when Wenze scored the winning points.

The Los Alamitos defenders, which have given up 37 points in six games, deserve the credit.

Esperanza, which scored 84 points in its last two games, managed only 235 yards in offense. Aztec quarterback Ryan Sausedo, who passed for more than 500 yards in those two victories, completed five of 21 passes for 78 yards.

But the most telling statistic: Sausedo threw four interceptions. He had thrown 52 passes this season without an interception before facing the Griffins.

“We’re awesome,” said Los Alamitos linebacker Paul Publico, the defensive captain. “We’re so well coached we can call [the other team’s] plays.”

Other than one breakdown in the second half, the defense dazzled after halftime.

Esperanza’s Tim Sonuyi took a handoff on Esperanza’s first play of the second half and bolted up the middle 85 yards for a touchdown and a 10-7 Aztec lead.

Esperanza’s next seven possessions included three interceptions and three three-and-out punts.

It’s the kind of defensive performance that gives credibility to a team that has prided itself on offense through the years.

“We’ve been so crazy on offense this year that people think we’re bad,” Griffin Coach John Barnes said. “But you ask any coach what wins a championship and they will tell you defense and a kicking game.”

Esperanza, clinging to a 10-7 lead, took possession at its 17 with 5:01 to play. But three running plays for two yards burned only two minutes and the Aztecs punted away, setting up the game-winning drive.

“I asked [Sanford] to give me just one play and we have a chance to win,” Barnes said of his quarterback, who had completed only eight of 20 for 55 yards before the game-winner. “He gave me one.”

Added Wenze: “There was no doubt that we would win this. I didn’t know the play would be that one, but I knew we’d win. Nothing in my career will ever top this.

Damon Johnson carried 31 times for 138 yards for Los Alamitos, including a four-yard touchdown run that gave the Griffins a 7-3 lead with 15 seconds left in the first quarter.