Another Big One

Mike Sciacca

Here we go again, somebody’s out to try to knock Los Alamitos High

School off its perch.

The latest team to give it a go is Edison, which takes on the Griffins

today (7:30 p.m.) at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach in the Independent’s

Game of the Week.

Not only will the Chargers give it a go, but they also have as good a

chance as anyone to knock off unbeaten Los Al.

But, they’ll have to be at their best for that to happen.

“They are just solid across the board,” Edison Coach Dave White said

of the Griffins. “There’s talent and speed on offense, they’ve got huge

linemen, and they always play great defense. It’s your typical Los Al

team.”

And, typically, the Griffins (6-0, 1-0) always seem to be the team to

beat in the Sunset League race.

They proved that point again Oct. 12 in a near-flawless performance,

as they handled previously unbeaten Marina, 48-20, in a league opener.

What was so impressive about that performance is the Griffins were coming

off their closest call of the season, a come-from-behind 21-19 victory

over Kennedy, in a game the Fighting Irish led in the first half, 13-0.

“I thought they were human after that one,” White said of the Kennedy

game. “But, they came back and played an awesome game against Marina.

When they play the way the did against Marina, they’re awfully good.”

White knows that to beat Los Al, Edison (5-1, 1-0) must eliminate

mistakes, namely, fumbles, which have hampered the Chargers in earlier

games.

Heading into tonight’s game, Edison posts a plus-one turnover ratio

per game.

The best way to beat the Griffins is to control the football, although

Edison possesses a highly explosive offense of its own. In fact, those in

attendance tonight should be treated to a passing duel between two of the

county’s top quarterbacks, the Chargers’ Richard Schwartz (989 yards,

nine touchdowns), and the Griffins’ Mike Catalano (996 yards, nine

touchdowns).

Both teams feature outstanding receivers, with Tony Holder, Brandon

Tripp and Steve Shinen the big guns for Los Al.

The trio has accounted for 1,048 yards.

Christian Prelle is Edison’s top receiver, with 294 yards and an 18.4

per catch average.

Not only will Los Al need to contain Schwartz, the team will have to

contend with Edison running back Darryl Poston, who is 163 yards shy of reaching 1,000 yards rushing for the season.

The Griffins answer with tailback Adam Nauta, who has 507 yards to

lead the Griffins.

“Nauta’s a real good tailback and has been running well in recent

weeks, and Holder, Tripp, and Shinen can also make big things happen,”

White added. “They have no weaknesses. I wish they did, but they don’t.

“For us to be successful, we’ll need to keep our turnovers to a

minimum and be physical in the trenches.”