GARDEN GROVE – Garden Grove quarterback Alex Ceja rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another to lead the Argonauts to a 63-0 win over Bolsa Grande in a Garden Grove League game Friday night at Garden Grove High.
The Argonauts (6-1, 2-0) relied on a punishing ground game that overpowered the Matadors (1-6, 1-1) in front of a large homecoming crowd. Garden Grove finished with 459 rushing yards.
The Argonauts surged to a 42-0 halftime lead thanks in large part to Ceja and running back Jordan Antunez. Ceja ran for a 3-yard touchdown on the Argonauts’ opening drive, and Antunez had the team’s longest play from scrimmage with a 70-yard touchdown run on their second drive.
In the second quarter, Garden Grove running back Tim Cao continued the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run. Wide receiver Mikel Lassalle then scored on a 10-yard pass from Ceja.
Austen Christian had five catches for 74 yards to lead the Argonauts’ passing attack, which has improved since the start of the season. Garden Grove coach Ricardo Cepeda was impressed with Ceja, who switched from receiver to quarterback this season.
“He’s improved every week. It’s been a process,” Cepeda said. “We know he can run the ball, and he’s getting really good at throwing it. He’s a dual-threat, and he’s going to be really tough to stop.”
Ceja completed 8 of 12 passes for 106 yards to go with 106 rushing yards. Antunez ran for 192 yards and two TDs.
