GARDEN GROVE — After a five-year hiatus, one of the Orange County’s oldest high school football rivalries resumed on Friday, as Garden Grove defeated Rancho Alamitos, 20-10, in a nonleague game at Garden Grove High School.
The Argonauts (2-3) and Vaqueros (3-2) played every year from 1959 to 2019, before league realignment sent Rancho Alamitos to the Orange Coast League, while Garden Grove remained in the Garden Grove League.
Along with bragging rights, the teams played for the Jack Jordan Memorial Trophy, which was donated by Garden Grove principal Donald Jordan and his wife Juanita in honor of their late son.
“It feels good,” said Garden Grove wide receiver Aaron Payan, who had touchdown receptions of 52 and 76 yards. “It feels good to keep the trophy home.”
Garden Grove took a quick 14-0 lead on a pair of big plays and got a clutch effort from defensive back Christian Mendoza, who had two interceptions, one in the end zone, as the Vaqueros were 9 yards away from a touchdown. The second interception came just before halftime, when Rancho Alamitos had possession on the Garden Grove 25.
“I learned this quarterback’s tendencies,” Mendoza said. “He’s staring at his guy the whole time. I’m able to pick up on things like that quickly, so I feel like I was able to get there really quickly.”
Rancho Alamitos received the opening kickoff and wound up turning the ball over on downs.
The Argonauts took over on the Garden Grove 41 and on their second play from scrimmage quarterback Calvin Keovphan connected with Payan for their first touchdown.
Garden Grove started from the 20 Following Mendoza’s first interception, and five plays into the drive, Quentin Pacelli scored on a 52-yard run.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound back ran for 169 yards on 20 carries, showing the ability to gain tough yards up the middle while displaying the speed to run for big gains on the outside.
“He’s probably the best running back I’ve seen,” said Argonauts coach Matthew LemMon. “I’m shocked that he has no college offers.”
The Vaqueros’ lone touchdown came on a 7-yard pass from Jacob Vasquez to Davian Sanchez with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
Rancho Alamitos quarterback Vincent Gentile completed 22 of 36 passes for 187 yards and Sanchez finished with 11 catches for 67 yards.
“I was really excited,” said LemMon on resuming the rivalry. “Hopefully they want to play us again and we can keep it going again.”
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