Emotional finish for undefeated Garden Grove

GARDEN GROVE A league championship banner, with the No. 45 between the 10 and the 0, was hoisted from atop the press box in the final moments.

And when Garden Grove's football team gathered after its 35-7 Garden Grove League-clinching victory against visiting Santiago, the chant by the players began quickly.

"Four, five. Four, five. Four, five."

Garden Grove continued to remember its late teammate, No. 45 Kevin Telles, but Friday it did so while celebrating its first 10-0 start since 1991.

For a team that dedicated its season to Telles, there was a lot to celebrate.

"I don't think there is anything these guys can't do," Garden Grove first-year coach Joe Hay said.

"It's an unbelievable group. ... It's just not one guy doing all the work. It's a number of people. It's a great team and they're a great group of kids."

Telles, a senior linebacker and fullback, collapsed during the Argonauts' season-opening victory against Westminster on Sept. 11 and later died.

The next morning, Garden Grove's football team gathered on its field and decided to play for Telles, 17.

Hay said the loss of Telles brought his team together.

"That tragedy is truly unfortunate but our guys understand," the coach said. "That tragedy bonded us together. They overcame the adversity. Sometimes it's tough in life but sometimes we learn a lot just from going through those trials and tribulations.

"My thoughts and my heart go out to his family, his brother, and his father and to Kevin. ... These guys set a goal and went out and did it."

Before the game, members of Telles' family participated in the senior night activities. Two players carried a banner in honor of Telles.

Garden Grove (10-0, 5-0) used the feet of quarterback Sean Young and its swarming defense to capture its first outright league title since 1999.

Young rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

Running back Jesse Lozano also had two rushing touchdowns as the Argonauts racked up 310 yards on the ground behind linemen such as Steven Barreda, Dante Russomanno, Billy Teutimez and Raymond Herrera.

One of Young's biggest runs came on a fourth-and-3 from Santiago's 38 late in the third period. Leading 21-7, Garden Grove called time out.

During the break, Telles' brother, Robert, wearing a No. 45 jersey, ran in front of the crowd with Garden Grove's flag.

The crowd erupted and Young gained 4 yards for the first down.

The senior later scored on a 5-yard run to give the Argonauts a 28-7 lead with 1:07 left in the third.

Garden Grove's defense also shined, holding Santiago to 72 total yards, including only 26 on the ground. After Young's 5-yard touchdown run, defensive lineman Stephen Meredith sacked quarterback Chris Ortega to end a possession.

Earlier in the third, Santiago (8-2, 4-1) turned a fumble recovery at Garden Grove's 26 into a 6-yard touchdown run by Missael Lagunas with 7:14 left.

Lagunas also had an interception in the game.

"The same guys playing offense are the same guys playing defense," Hay said. "It's just a team effort."

Young also threw a touchdown pass. He capped the Argonauts' opening drive with an 8-yard connection to wide out Avery Williams, who leaped over the cornerback to make the catch.

On the ensuing kickoff, Garden Grove's Josh Sepulveda recovered a fumble at Santiago's 26.

Young capitalized with a 1-yard touchdown run as the Argonauts took a 14-0 lead with 3:58 let in the opening quarter.

After Garden Grove's defense forced a three-and-out, the Argonauts opened a 21-0 lead by driving for a 4-yard touchdown run by Lozano 45 seconds into the second quarter.

Young sparked the drive with a 17-yard run up the middle. For the night, he also completed 6 of 11 passes for 68 yards.

While Garden Grove — ranked No. 1 in the Southern Division — celebrated the victory, Hay also cautioned his team to remain focused.

"We ain't done," he said.