NEWPORT BEACH – If you’re Jacob Gasser and you know you’re not going to leave the field, then you might as well try to leave a lasting imprint on the game whenever you can.
Los Alamitos’ senior two-way player did that and more Friday night, catching five passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns, converting all seven of his extra-point attempts and playing defense to help lead the Griffins to a much-needed 49-0 Sunset League victory over Newport Harbor.
The fourth quarter was played with a running clock.
Gasser had been out of action with a broken right thumb since a game against San Juan Hills (Sept. 25). He wore a hard cast to protect it this week.
“I was real happy to be back on offense and help my team,” he said. “I love playing football.”
POSTGAME TALK: How Los Alamitos dominated Newport Harbor
Gasser’s impact was felt immediately on the Griffins’ first play of the game when Holden Edmondson took a pass from Jack Telenko and then tossed it to Gasser, who sprinted away from defenders for an 88-yard touchdown. He later caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Telenko and opened the second half with a 57-yard touchdown.
“It is amazing having him back,” Telenko said.
The Griffins (3-5, 1-2) had lost five consecutive games and needed Friday’s victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. Los Alamitos next faces Huntington Beach.
Los Alamitos led, 28-0, at halftime. After the 57-yard Telenko-to-Gasser touchdown, Dylan Laurent capped Los Al’s scoring with a 27-yard touchdown pass and a 66-yard punt return for a score.
“We came into this game with a different mindset,” Telenko said. “Not winning the last games, we kind of came in here looking at it like a three-game season.”
Newport Harbor (3-5, 1-2), which defeated Huntington Beach, 33-27, last week, never got on track. Los Alamitos intercepted three of Michael Bonds’ passes and the Sailors lost a fumble on their first possession.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com