With a new stadium under construction, there is an unusually high level of energy running through the Los Alamitos Pop Warner program this year. The teams wasted no time in getting down to business all over Southern California on opening weekend. Erick Jimenez’s Junior Mighty Mite came out and continued their winning ways from last season taking it to the San Clemente Red Tritons 34-0.
“The Junior Mighty Mites team looked in mid-season form as they scored on their first three plays on offense and held the San Clemente Red Tritons to negative yards for the game,” Coach Jimenez said.
Touchdowns or extra point scores by Isaiah Dorsey, Chauncey Sylvester, Aidan Houston, Aidan Chiles, Jeremiah Jimenez, and Kamar Gabourel showed the balance and talent this team has to win many more games. With a tough schedule ahead, this team is poised to put on a great show on the field this season.
One level up at the Mighty Mite level the story was almost identical. Coach Kelly Schneider has worked very hard since Aug. 1 to make sure this team would be fast and strong both physically and mentally. It paid off with an away game win 34-0 win over Hacienda Heights.
At the end of the first half Aiden Gomez was at it again with an uphill (you have to see this) field run for a 35-yard touchdown. Owen Tomich (Evan’s younger brother) punched in the extra point on a 26 power.
The second half proved just as prosperous in the points department with Owen Tomich taking the kickoff 60 yards for a touchdown. The head coach’s son Nate Schneider punched in the extra point. The defense was just as tenacious. First year player Gibby Ruffridge wasted no time pouncing on a fumble to get the ball back for the Griffins. He has been a great addition to the team. Also new to the team this year cornerback Nick Gallegos was lock down and maintained perfect containment the whole game. In the middle and also new to our team “Macho Comacho” gave the Hacienda Heights reason to stay out of the middle as he made quick work of their offensive line and before long there was little interest in testing the core of our defensive line.
Malique Brown is also new to the team and is a huge (Literally) addition. He is one of our biggest players and while he has been playing offensive line, offensive coordinator Tyler Tomich plugged him in at running back and sent him over the right side of the line. Twelve yards later (and a first down) the defense wrestled him to the ground (It took four of them to get him down).
Junior Pee Wees
In their first game of the 2013 season, the Los Alamitos Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee team started the year with a win against a very good Saddleback Valley Cougars. The Pee Wee’s Aggressive ball handling and a meticulous fourth quarter offensive drive across most of the field earned the Griffins their second touchdown and an extra point with 2 minutes left on the clock. The Griffins were able to hold that lead, ending the game with a final score of 13 – 6.
Pee Wees
The Pee Wee team also traveled to South Orange County to meet the older and stronger version of the Saddleback Valley Cougars. The 7 p.m. night game meant that temperatures were more moderate and everyone likes to play under the lights. Head Coach Todd Vander Hill’s team had little to worry about as they romped Saddleback Valley 26-0.
Junior Midget Blue
Yet another step up in size and speed found the Junior Midget Blue team led by head coach Tim Loya facing the Cypress Centurions. It was dominant performance with Los Al Griffins Blue 22- Cypress 0.
