Junior Midget Dolphins reach semifinals with 33-6 win

The Huntington Beach Dolphins advanced to the semifinal round of the

Junior Midget Division playoffs by routing La Mirada on Saturday, 33-6,

in Junior All-American Football action.

The Junior Midget Dolphins used an overpowering defense to stifle the

Matadors. Chris Vo and Ryan Lopez each had interceptions, and the hitting

of Vo, Steven Sileski and John Martinez caused four La Mirada fumbles,

one of which was scooped up by Charlie Vallas and returned 55 yards for a

touchdown.

Offensively, Anthony McLawyer and Joe Menichiello each rushed for two

touchdowns, and Lopez and Jeffrey Osbourne had key receptions in each of

Huntington Beach’s scoring drives.

“I knew we could beat them, but I never figured it would be this big,”

said Huntington Beach Coach Anthony McLawyer, whose squad will travel to

Bellflower High on Saturday to battle Orange in a 3 p.m. semifinal

matchup. “We’re running on all cylinders right now.”

In other Junior All-American news:

Huntington Beach hosts playoffs

The Huntington Beach Dolphins chapter of Junior All-American Football

will host the Junior Clinic playoffs Saturday. Games will be played at 9

and 11 a.m., and 1 and 3 p.m. at Ocean View High. The undefeated Clinic

Dolphins will be featured in the 1 p.m. game.

IN POP WARNER ACTION:

Huntington Beach 24, Cerritos 6

The Huntington Beach Mighty Mite Gold Chargers closed out their season

on a high note by defeating the Cerritos Titans, 24-6, in Monterey Park.

The Chargers (4-6) capitalized on five Titan fumbles to take command

of the game. Jake Gordon opened the scoring with a two-yard first-quarter

plunge, followed by Philip Vullo’s recovery of an onside kick. Gregory

Souders then dragged defenders the final 15 yards to the end zone for

another score, then ran 35 yards for another touchdown later in the game.

Vullo closed out the Chargers scoring with a 30-yard touchdown run as

time expired.

Nicholas Williams came up with a 40-yard run during the game, his

longest run from scrimmage this season.

Cerritos could not score on the Huntington Beach defense, getting the

team’s lone touchdown on a kickoff return.

Midget Cheer team off to Hawaii

The Huntington Beach Pop Warner Midget Division cheer team placed

fourth out of 27 cheer teams Saturday and earned a trip to Hawaii to

compete in the regional competition Dec. 10. Members of the squad include

Autumn Abrams, Stacy Arand, Britni Athey, Amy Azpeitia, Lauren Baldwin,

Irene Ballesteros, Nicole Beck, Catie Bell, Barbara Boughan, Carrie Chen,

Jessica Cochems, Kristina Dove, Ashley Edwards, Heather Enoka, Kayleen

Enoka, Shelly Garcia, Annie Gilbertson, Nicole Gottesman, Nicole

Griffith, Andie Gross, Courtney Heckel, Ashley Hendrix, Ali Mars,

Brittney Masanovich, Ciera Mitchell, Madison Overcast, Natascha Petrarca,

Ali Piontkowski, Elizabeth Plumber, Talia Rachels, Priscilla Salas, Lexy

Turner, Dayna Villegas, Whitney Wallick, Monica Wilson, Coach Amy Genelle

and assistant coach Vanessa McKenna.