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WESTMINSTER — The highly-rated recruits now play in college. Several established all-league players transferred to other schools. But Los Alamitos’ football team still entered its latest challenge Friday on stable and fruitful ground.
That position didn’t look as firm after a duel against Serra but the Cavaliers are known for producing future NFL talent.
Jimmy Butler tossed two long touchdowns in the first half and Serra returned two interceptions for scores en route to a 42-7 victory in a nonleague game at Westminster High.
Los Alamitos (4-2), ranked seventh in Orange County and 15th in the state by Calpreps, trailed 35-0 at halftime.
Running back Lenny Ibarra got the Griffins on the scoreboard with a 12-yard TD run to open the second half. Serra answered with Butler’s second long TD pass to CJ Mcbean and the game featured a running clock in the fourth quarter.
The Griffins were seeking another quality victory as they play on without Class of 2023 stars Malachi Nelson (Boise State) and Makai Lemon (USC) and several expected returning starters from last season.
The Griffins have looked united this fall because they are.
“It’s a different group of kids in the sense that they are selfless,” Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton said before the Griffins’ homecoming game. “They got chips on their shoulders. They took a lot of bad press during the offseason (about the transfers who left) … and they have something to prove, and they play that way.”
Los Alamitos’ only loss prior to Friday came against Mililani, the No. 1-ranked team from Hawaii. The Griffins lost 27-24 after struggling with six turnovers.
A big part of the Griffins’ formula for success has been a balanced offense and strong defense. They struggled, however, to follow that plan against Serra (3-2), which beat Los Alamitos 38-28 in the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals last season in Gardena.
The Cavaliers used their speed on both sides of the ball to seize control. They broke three long scoring plays on offense and slowed a ground attack that averaged 214 yards.
Serra also harassed Los Alamitos quarterback Alonzo Esparza, a first-team All-County selection last season. The senior came into the game averaging 210 yards passing.
Serra, ranked 18th in the state by Calpreps, started fast with two explosive plays in the opening quarter.
Butler tossed a 66-yard touchdown pass deep to a streaking Malachi Holt for the first strike.
On the ensuing possession, cornerback Marcellous Ryan of Serra returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown after the Cavaliers pressured Esparza. The Cavaliers led 14-0.
Serra kept producing the big plays in the second quarter to open a 35-0 lead.
Running back Camron Harris-Willcot capped a 65-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run to push the cushion to 21-0 early in the period.
The Cavaliers then returned another interception for a touchdown. Defensive back Tre’ Harrison grabbed a second lofted pass under duress and scored from about 24 yards.
Mcbean flashed his speed to cap the scoring in the first half. He took a pass from Butler and juked a defender to race for a 56-yard score with 3:15 left in the second quarter.
Next week, Los Alamitos closes out its nonleague season at Lincoln of San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 5. The Griffins open the Alpha League against Edison on Oct. 18.
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