It was quite an even match on Friday night at Garden Grove High School as the Laguna Beach Breakers battled the Garden Grove Argonauts. But a tough offensive line prevented the Breakers from reaching Argonauts' quarterback Angel Martinez, and injured LBHS players could not achieve their full potential. The final score was 35-21.
Normally rushing for an average of 90 yards per game, Nathan Lancaster was on the sidelines early with an injury. Drake Martinez, who usually scores at least two TD's per game, was seen favoring one leg.
And then there was the Great Wall of Garden Grove. Players like Roland Jiminez (6'4", 411) and Ray Carrion (6', 240) protected QB Martinez and provided him with plenty of time to hand off and pass.
The score was tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. After Maze Masoe scored for Garden Grove, Nathan Lancaster ran the ball in for a TD.
In the second quarter, Del Real of Garden Grove ran the ball into the end zone. Then Laguna Beach's Robert Clemons III caught a TD pass from Larry Stewart. Garden Grove's Austen Christian scored twice after that leaving the score at 28-14 by halftime.
Throughout the game, Breakers quarterback Larry Stewart was heard encouraging his team.
After Garden Grove made a touchdown, Stewart said, "Offense, get ready, we've got to get back to work. We gotta match, now. We gotta match it!"
The teams battled through the third quarter and neither team scored. But during the fourth quarter, Garden Grove's Del Real scored one last time leaving the final tally at 35-21.
After the game, the winningest coach in the history of Laguna Beach High School football, Mike Churchill, said, "I told [the young men] I was really proud of them. They've had a great run and they've done things that nobody else has ever done in this school. They're my favorite team, I think."
The Breakers ended with a season record of 11-1-1.
