Most Viewed Stories
Los Alamitos overcomes first-game struggles
Los Alamitos overcomes first-game struggles
The Griffins defeat Mayfair, 24-3, despite a sometimes shaky effort by Evans and Co.
CERRITOS - Los Alamitos did some things well and some not so well Thursday in a 24-3 victory over Mayfair of Lakewood.
That was no surprise to Los Alamitos coach John Barnes.
"Hey," he said, smiling broadly. "This was a first game!"
Thursday's nonleague game at Gahr High of Cerritos, the Griffins' home field this year, was their season opener. Mayfair played lost week, and lost to Moorpark.
Los Alamitos quarterback Clark Evans displayed some first-game tendencies. He sometimes overthrew receivers, and sometimes by a lot, and was intercepted twice. But he made enough good throws to finish 10 for 19 for 154 yards and a touchdown.
The versatile Evans, a 6-foot-4, 223-pound senior who committed to Colorado, also rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, for an average of 9.4 yards a carry.
Senior running back Cody Perez rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Junior receiver Paul Richardson had four catches for 87 yards and touchdown.
Barnes, in his 30th year coaching at Los Alamitos and Orange County's all-time leader in football coaching victories with 266, was pleased with the Griffins' defense but frustrated by the offense.
"We'd get some rhythm going," Barnes said, "but then we'd sputter like somebody put water in our gas tank."
Los Alamitos scored first, in the first quarter, on a 38-yard field goal by Zach Kadletz. Mayfair tied it later in the quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Nathan Silva.
The Griffins followed with a six-play, 86-yard drive that ended on a 10-yard touchdown run by Evans. On the play, Evans dropped back then burst through a hole on the left side.
Mayfair's ensuing possession, that concluded the first quarter and started the second, ended with an 11-yard punt that gave Los Alamitos the ball on the Monsoons' 34. A 23-yard completion from Evans to Darryl Jenkins and a 7-yard run by Perez put the Griffins on the Mayfair 4.
Evans then threw his first interception, with Mayfair's Ronald Kennedy Jr. picking off the pass at the goal line. Kennedy sprinted along the left side until Richardson chased him down at the Griffins' 34, where Richardson caused a fumble that Los Alamitos recovered.
The Griffins took advantage of that break by scoring another touchdown, this one on a 4-yard run by Perez that pushed the lead to 17-3.
Los Alamitos scored its final touchdown in the third quarter when Evans and Richardson connected on an 8-yard pass. Richardson ran an inside slant and went down to snag the low throw. That made it 24-3.
The Griffins play at Fremont of Los Angeles next Friday at 4 p.m.
Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com
