GARDEN GROVE – Rancho Alamitos learned the hard way last year that even when you think you have enough wins to make the football playoffs, nothing is guaranteed.
Last year’s Vaqueros finished third in the six-team Garden Grove League. That used to assure a team of a CIF-Southern Section playoff berth. But with the new playoff system, in which teams are placed into divisions via a power-points profile, a good place in a league’s final standings might not be good enough.
There were too many No. 3 teams in 2017 CIF-SS Division 11 to fit them all into the 16-team bracket. Rancho Alamitos didn’t make the cut.
A pregame conversation Thursday night with Rancho Alamitos coach Mike Enright verified that Enright remains miffed and mystified.
Rancho Alamitos, out to get as many league wins as it can this season, beat Santiago 16-14 in the Garden Grove League opener for both teams at Garden Grove High.
The Vaqueros improved to 3-3 overall. In nonleague they defeated Anaheim and Godinez and lost to Carpinteria, Savanna and Garden Grove.
Santiago is 3-3. The Cavaliers in nonleague beat Anaheim, Century and Costa Mesa and lost to Estancia and Magnolia.
Final – Rancho Alamitos 16, Santiago 14 @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/lZuA0WA2uz
— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) September 28, 2018
Rancho Alamitos senior running back Nathan Kanyavong rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. He also had six receptions for 33 yards.
How important, knowing that the Vaqueros were not invited to the ’17 playoffs, was it to win the league opener?
“Very important,” Kanyavong said, “especially to all the seniors. We want to get that league championship and make it to the playoffs this year.”
Vaqueros sophomore quarterback Michael Lee completed 17 of 24 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. Mark Diga had eight receptions for 68 yards.
Israel Martinez kicked a 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that proved to be the winning points.
Santiago senior running back Anthony Mendez rushed for 112 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown, on nine carries.
Enright has seen the Vaqueros offense steadily improve while the defense remains stout.
“We’re young,” Enright said, “but one thing about these kids is they’re tenacious. And Kanyavong is a special player for us.”
The Cavaliers, who Enright said “played their tails off,” scored first on Mendez’s long run. Rancho Alamitos tied it 7-7 on Kanyavong’s 1-yard touchdown run that finished a 14-play drive that covered 82 yards.
Rancho Alamitos took a 14-7 lead in the third quarter on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Lee to Joseph Santa Ana.
Martinez’s field goal made it 16-7.
Santiago cut its deficit to 16-14 on a 43-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Bernardo Monroy to Ulises Mendez with 1:46 remaining in the game. Santiago’s ensuing onside kick was recovered by Rancho Alamitos.
Santiago plays Bolsa Grande at Garden Grove High on Oct. 5. Rancho Alamitos plays Los Amigos at Bolsa Grande High on Oct. 5.