Westminster, Garden Grove Both Come Up Empty

Usually when teams play to a scoreless tie, it’s referred to as a defensive battle. However, Westminster and Garden Grove’s 0-0 tie at Garden Grove High on Friday was more of an offensive struggle.

The teams had only 273 total yards combined, with Westminster failing to register a first down until the third quarter. Still, the Lions had some of the best chances to score.

Westminster began the second half at its 35-yard line and drove to the Garden Grove 15 on the strength of a 22-yard run by Christian Chamberlain and a 25-yard screen pass from Matt Maciel to tight end Hector Colunga. The drive stalled, however, and the Lions botched a 32-yard field goal attempt on a bad snap.

Later in the third quarter, Westminster’s Jared Jenkins partially blocked a Garden Grove punt and the Lions took over at the Argonauts’ 35. Westminster appeared to score the game’s first touchdown when Jason Milane went in on a 12-yard run five plays later, but a holding penalty nullified the score.

Three plays later, Maciel tried to fling the ball to a receiver as he was being sacked, but Garden Grove’s David Tharp intercepted the attempt and returned it 53 yards to the Argonaut 29. Garden Grove’s momentum was short-lived, however, as running back Adam Deneal lost a fumble two plays later.

Neither team threatened the rest of the way.

“I’m happy with our team’s effort,” Garden Grove Coach Kris Van Hook said. “The defense really sucked it up tonight and we moved the ball on offense, but we were just too inconsistent and had too many penalties.”

Said Westminster Coach Ted McMillen: “Our offense played better than last week, and the I’m really proud of the way our defense played.”