GARDEN GROVE – For the past two seasons, Garden Grove had dashed Los Amigos’ league title dreams.
This season proved no different.
Powered by a timely defense and a resilient running attack, Garden Grove pushed past Los Amigos, 21-3, Friday night to lock up the Garden Grove League title for the third consecutive year.
Quarterback Alex Ceja ran for two touchdowns and capped the victory with an interception in the game’s final minute, and Jordan Antunez added 114 yards on 25 carries to lead the way.
“Our offensive line, I give it up to all of them,” Ceja said. “They’re the hardest-working ones out there.”
Pending the outcome of their regular-season finale next week, the Argonauts (8-1, 3-0) are likely to receive the top seed for the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs. Los Amigos (5-4, 3-1) finishes second in league play for the third straight season.
“We give ourselves until 9 a.m. tomorrow to celebrate,” Garden Grove coach Ricardo Cepeda said. “We’re going to have a good time tonight, enjoy the victory, and tomorrow we’re looking toward Santiago and getting ready for the playoffs.”
The Argonauts didn’t take too long to celebrate early in the first quarter.
Austen Christian corralled the opening kickoff high above his head and returned it 92 yards down the middle of the field for a touchdown that gave Garden Grove an instant advantage.
After Los Amigos’ first possession ended with a blocked punt at its own 28, the Lobos responded on defense when Allen Le intercepted an errant throw from Ceja and returned it 22 yards to Los Amigos’ 31.
The Lobos ran 12 plays before the drive was capped by Brian Ayala’s 32-yard field goal in the opening seconds of the second quarter.
Garden Grove came up short on a 28-yard field-goal attempt on its ensuing possession, but the defense quickly forced a Los Amigos three-and-out punt.
The Argonauts then methodically marched 77 yards down the field, with Ceja’s 4-yard scamper giving them a 14-3 lead just before halftime.
Los Amigos’ defense made a pair of stops inside its own 5 before Ceja scored with six seconds remaining in the half.
Garden Grove also overcame four turnovers, including two in the second half – none which was more crucial than a fumble on a first-and-goal at the Los Amigos 3 during the third quarter.
Following the recovery, Los Amigos’ offense failed to move the ball into Garden Grove territory, punting after eight plays.
Garden Grove’s defense limited senior Moby Contreras, Orange County’s leading rusher, to just 83 yards (38 in the first half).
