Garden Grove’s Ground Game Races Past La Quinta

GARDEN GROVE —  The good news for La Quinta after a 34-0 loss to Garden Grove Thursday night is that the season probably won’t get worse.

The Aztecs (1-5, 0-3) have been outscored, 124-19, in their first three league games while facing probably the three best teams in the league. They entered Thursday’s game with their top three quarterbacks sidelined and James Nguyen, a converted wide receiver, taking the snaps.

Garden Grove (4-2, 3-0) thoroughly dominated the game, outgaining La Quinta, 293-22, and holding the Aztecs to minus-10 rushing yards.

The Argonauts did most of their damage on the ground. Manuel Millan ran for 100 yards, including scoring runs of 50 and eight yards, and Ruben Reyna chipped in 49 yards. Reserve Paul Chapin added 67 yards, all in the final quarter.

Argonaut junior quarterback Troy Haller completed only four of 11 passes, but three went for touchdowns. Brian Jones caught scoring passes of 33 and 32 yards, while Reyna caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.

The highlight for the Aztecs was a 62-yard kickoff return on the final play of the third quarter by sophomore Jhamal Dawkins, putter La Quinta at the Garden Grove 33. However, a bad handoff five plays later turned the ball over to the Argonauts. La Quinta turned over the ball five times, twice inside the Garden Grove 20.