GARDEN GROVE – Bolsa Grande chanted down the final seconds. The final horn echoed with a burst of joy from the Matadors sideline. Opposing hands were shook and the alma mater was sung full throat.
The Matadors had finally won.
Bolsa Grande controlled the ground game and stifled Century’s attack to snap a 17-game losing streak with a 27-6 victory in a nonleague game Thursday night at Bolsa Grande High.
“We have a lot farther to go, but man, it’s sweet,” Bolsa Grande coach Doug Cooper said. “These kids have worked really hard, and I wanted to win for them so bad because they deserve it.”
The win was Cooper’s first as coach of the Matadors and the first for Bolsa Grande (1-3) since Oct. 10, 2014.
Bolsa Grande dictated the flow of the game right from the start.
The Matadors recovered the opening onside kick attempt by Century (1-2) and marched on a 13-play, six-minute drive into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
Running back Daniel Strahan was the pacesetter for Bolsa Grande.
The senior carried the ball 34 times for 108 yards on the ground, scored the touchdown on that opening drive and ran in another score just before halftime.
In total, Bolsa Grande ran the ball 50 times for 190 yards.
“Our offensive line is starting to click,” Cooper said. “We had a lot of injuries. We just had guys step up and have that mindset of go out and push for four quarters.”
Andrew Guillen added another rushing score on a 1-yard quarterback sneak in the second quarter.
Century’s passing game clicked late with a 30-yard TD pass from Fernando Cambray to Manuel Torres.
Strahan intercepted Cambray on the next drive, and Elian Gallegos finished things off with a 24-yard touchdown run.
