Rancho Alamitos Holds On

The teams combined for more than 20 penalties and six turnovers, but in the end, Rancho Alamitos defeated Westminster, 9-0, Friday night in a nonleague game at Westminster High.

Several of the miscues came at crucial times, but first-year Rancho Alamitos Coach Mike Enright was still happy with his team’s effort.

“We did what we had to do to win,” Enright said.

What the Vaqueros did was hold Westminster to 100 total yards and force the Lions to turn the ball over five times.

“We had some injuries coming in, and also had some kids playing positions they had never played before,” Enright said. “So to come out of here with a win is big.”

Both teams struggled for most of the first half, with the Vaqueros scoring the game’s only touchdown with 23 seconds left in the second quarter. Vaquero quarterback Daniel Green hit receiver Maurice Green with an 18-yard touchdown pass to complete a nine-play drive that began at the Rancho Alamitos 41-yard line.

After both teams stalled on their first two possessions of the second half, Westminster finally began to move the ball on its third drive. Christian Chamberlain broke free on a 14-yard run and Jared Jenkins followed with a 19-yard run to the Vaquero 28-yard line. But Chamberlain fumbled on the next play and Rancho Alamitos defensive lineman Jason Sagiao recovered the ball.

The Vaqueros took a 9-0 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Oscar Ayala kicked a 42-yard field goal, capping off a seven-play drive.

“Last year, this team only won a couple games, so getting a win in the first game of the year was a big accomplishment,” Enright said.