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Some football teams follow the lead of their captains. Los Alamitos follows the example of its player-led unity council, and results have been impressive.
The Griffins (4-0) have climbed to No. 6 in Orange County and No. 11 in California by HSratings.com entering their home-opener Friday against St. Paul.
Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton credits the Griffins’ fast start to their unity council. The coach said the group consists of 10 players who have “embodied” the team’s positive and focused culture.
“This group, more than any group, is holding each other accountable,” Fenton said on Monday.
“If the coach is constantly holding kids accountable, it becomes not a lot of fun for anyone. But when the kids are helping each other, and they’re holding each other accountable and they genuinely believe in the program and the rules that are set, then you have something special.”
The council features mostly seniors with a few juniors.
The members are: junior defensive lineman Hunter Eligon, senior defensive end Jackson Renger (Cornell commit), senior linebacker Johnny Howze, senior all-purpose Lenny Ibarra (Army commit), senior center Braiden McKenna, senior linebacker Logan Moore, senior tight end Beckham Hofland (Boise State commit), junior running back Kamden Tillis, senior quarterback Colin Creason and senior defensive tackle Brandon Uruza.
Los Alamitos constructed the group from several returning players. The Griffins lost two notable players to Sierra Canyon in the offseason but their team chemistry has remained strong.
“In high school football, that’s the trend, and in college football, that’s the trend,” Fenton said of transfers. “When you have that type of movement going on at all levels — high school and college — it’s hard to build a culture. You’re just building a team.”
“The kids that we have,” the coach added, “are the kids who have grown up with each other. It feels like that old-school, play for your neighborhood, play for your city, play for your school (attitude) that you’ve always looked at when you’ve gone (kindergarten) through 12th (grade) in a school district.”
“There’s something different that is now missing in college and high school, but this team has it.”
Los Alamitos also has an identity on the field after opening the season with road victories against Inglewood (20-12), Kapolei of Hawaii (34-31), Narbonne (48-0) and Serra of Gardena (42-21).
The Griffins are physical along the offensive line and front-seven on defense.
Against Serra, they started seniors Jackson Turek, Tufi Lafaele and Luke Tomczyk, and junior Luke Wehner with McKenna on the offensive line.
The defensive front of Eligon, Uruza and Renger was supported by active linebackers Howze, Moore and seniors Koa Marasco and Gavin Vera.
“Defensively, the front seven is very physical,” St. Paul coach Mike Moschetti said of Los Alamitos. “Offensively, they are well-coached up front and show new wrinkles it seems every week.”
Ibarra is often part of deception. The senior has made highlight plays at safety, wide receiver, running back and even kicker.
Ibarra is tied with Marasco in total tackles with 34, and has two TDs rushing and two receiving.
Tillis has emerged as the team’s leading rusher with 234 yards and six TDs.
Los Alamitos can match its best start since the COVID-shortened spring season with a victory Friday. But the Griffins’ focus remains on St. Paul and hosting their first game honoring military and first responders.
“We’re trying to serving the people who serve,” Fenton said. “It’s really, really big for our city with the Joint Forces (Training Base) being in (Los Alamitos).”
BOUND FOR TEXAS
San Juan Hills (3-0) will travel out of state for the first time when it plays at Rockwall-Heath (1-1) of Rockwall, Texas on Friday at Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium.
On the trip, the Stallions plan to attend TCU’s home game Saturday against Abilene Christian and visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza that chronicles President John F. Kennedy.
“(It’s) big for the program,” San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said of the trip, which begins Wednesday.
SHORT ROUTES
Crean Lutheran wide receiver Ty Johnson, a touted junior from Texas, is now listed by the CIF-SS as a sitout transfer. Johnson’s transfer eligibility status was previously listed as incomplete. …
La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta can notch his 245th win at the school — and tie former Newport Harbor coach Jeff Brinkley for No. 5 in O.C. all-time coaching victories — with a triumph against visiting Mira Costa on Friday. …
Esperanza will honor the family of late coach Gary Meek on Friday before its home game at Yorba Linda. …
Mission Viejo credited defensive lineman JD Hill with 5.5 sacks and 13 total tackles in a 53-14 win against Folsom last week. …
JSerra kicker Noah Thayer booted a 49-yard field goal last week in a 38-20 win against Kamehameha Kapalama in Hawaii. The previous week, senior kicked a school-record 54-yard field goal.