High School Football: HB shut out by Los Al
The adage is that the best defense is a good offense.
Los Alamitos didn’t really have that luxury in the first half on Friday night, so the Griffins put their own spin on that axiom.
The best defense, sometimes, is simply one that scores on its own.
Nathan Hartman and Trevion Ballard scored on interception returns that were 52 seconds apart, and the Griffins rolled to a 38-0 Sunset League win over host Huntington Beach at Sheue Field.
Though it entered the week at 2-1 in league, Huntington Beach had the toughest remaining schedule. In ending with Los Alamitos and Edison, the Oilers (4-5) wrapped up against the two best overall records in their league.
Los Alamitos (6-3, 3-1) now owns a 44.3-point margin of victory in its three league wins.
It wasn’t going to get any easier for Huntington Beach with a revolving door at quarterback. Starter Nick Welch quit the team preceding the start of league. The Oilers then turned to Arick McLawyer to take the snaps, but a biceps injury to the sophomore gave the keys to the offense to Dylan McCoy.
Inexperience at the quarterback position showed early, as McCoy was victimized for two defensive touchdowns when he tried to force throws deep in the first quarter.
Hartman returned the first interception 70 yards down the right sideline. Then Ballard picked off a pass in the middle of the field and raced 48 yards to the end zone for a 14-0 edge at the 5:28 mark of the first quarter.
“It’s nice when a defense is scoring,” Griffins coach Ray Fenton said. “To go up 14 on two defensive plays like that, it gets you a little bit more comfortable on the sideline.”
Huntington Beach countered with its own strong defensive effort, allowing just one touchdown to the Griffins’ offense in the first half.
Derek Thomas had two sacks, and Payton Marlow and Chase Elliot each had one for the Oilers. Tristan Windle added an interception.
“We know that our defense can play with anyone,” Oilers coach Brett Brown said. “They showed that tonight.”
Extended time on the field wound up taxing the Oilers’ defense, and Los Alamitos was able to break through in the third quarter.
Dylan Laurent scored on a five-yard reverse on the first drive of the second half. After a short field goal by Zach Ruiz, Keanu Norman powered across the goal line from two yards out for the final score.
Norman was the game’s leading offensive performer, carrying the ball 23 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He noted that time of possession was the key to tiring out the Oilers.
“We wore down the defense when we kept the offense on the field,” Norman said. “We kept running the ball and kept the clock running. I think it had a good effect.”
McCoy completed just eight of his 24 passing attempts for 92 yards and three interceptions, but Brown is proud of the fact that his quarterback hasn’t shied away from the tough throws.
“He’s a fearless kid,” Brown said. “He’s a senior, so he has the age and the experience on [Welch and McLawyer] that way.
“He didn’t play a perfect game, but he battled as the game went on.”
Joey Noble provided all the pass rush that Los Alamitos needed, recording one sack and four tackles for a loss. Connor O’Brien, Richard Yukihiro, and Issaiah Johnson also had sacks.
Los Alamitos ends the season against Newport Harbor. The Sailors (5-4, 3-1) and Griffins will likely settle the battle for the Sunset League’s second seed on the field at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Thursday.
Sunset League
Los Alamitos 38, Huntington Beach 0
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Los Alamitos 14-7-17-0 – 38
Huntington Beach 0-0-0-0 – 0
FIRST QUARTER
LA – Hartman 70 INT return (Ruiz kick), 6:20.
LA – Ballard 48 INT return (Ruiz kick), 5:28.
SECOND QUARTER
LA – Norman 20 run (Ruiz kick), 3:40.
THIRD QUARTER
LA – Laurent 5 run (Ruiz kick), 8:54.
LA – Ruiz 28 FG, 3:30.
LA – Norman 2 run (Ruiz kick), 0:23.
INDIVIDUAL RUSHING
LA – Norman, 23-168, 2 TDs.
HB – Melvin, 3-9.
INDIVIDUAL PASSING
LA – Smith, 6-13-1, 89.
HB – McCoy, 8-24-3, 92.
INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING
LA – Huey, 3-57.
HB – Adams, 3-71.
