Garden Grove Roars Back to Remain in Championship Hunt

Garden Grove used a strong running attack to control the clock and the Argonauts defeated Santiago, 24-7, Friday at Garden Grove High.

The victory keeps Garden Grove on pace with Pacifica for at least a share of the Garden Grove League title.

“The win was big,” said Garden Grove running back Sione Taumofoelau, who finished with 128 yards in 18 carries. “We knew that Pacifica lost last night. We want the league title.”

Both teams struggled in the first quarter. Santiago (2-7 overall, 1-5 in league) had a strong opening drive, going 58 yards before fumbling at the Garden Grove 15-yard line. Garden Grove’s first possession ended when the Argonauts failed on a fourth-and-five from the Santiago 25-yard line.

Santiago’s Richard Perez opened the scoring in the second quarter with a one-yard quarterback sneak. The play was set up by a 31-yard halfback pass from Villamu Taafua to Frank Montes.

Garden Grove (5-3-1, 4-1) answered when Taumofoelau ran 19 yards for a touchdown. Nick Genert added a 23-yard field goal on the Argonauts’ next possession.

Garden Grove’s Keo Sutherland extended the lead to 17-7 with a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. On the Argonauts’ next possession, Sutherland passed to a streaking Juan Delgado for a 25-yard touchdown.

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GARDEN GROVE

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League Overall School W L T W L T Pacifica 4 1 0 5 4 0 Garden Grove 4 1 0 5 3 1 Rancho Alamitos 3 1 1 5 3 1 Los Amigos 3 1 1 4 4 1 La Quinta 2 3 0 3 6 0 Santiago 1 5 0 2 7 0 Bolsa Grande 0 5 0 0 9 0

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WEEK 9

Thursday’s result

* Los Amigos 37, Pacifica 32

* Westminster 20, La Quinta 8

Friday’s results

* Garden Grove 24, Santiago 7

* Rancho Alamitos 42, Bolsa Grande 7

WEEK 10

Thursday, Nov. 9

Garden Grove at Bolsa Grande

Pacifica vs. Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove HS

Santiago vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium

Friday, Nov. 10

La Quinta vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS