Gallego, normally a wideout, steps in at quarterback for Edison as it blanks Canyon 38-0

With starting quarterback Griffin O’ Connor out ailing from illness, the Edison High football team had to rely on backup Mateo Gallego to take the reins of the offense.

In his first start at quarterback, the senior stepped up and scored three touchdowns, leading the Chargers to a 38-0 nonleague victory over Anaheim Canyon on Friday night at Fred Kelly Field in Orange.

“I was really impressed with how he handled himself tonight,” Edison coach Jeff Grady said of Gallego, who is normally one of O’Connor’s favorite targets at wide receiver. “He was very composed and did everything we asked him to do … he executed the game plan well and led the team.”

Senior running back Jack Carmichael (18 carries for 113 yards and one touchdown) ran the ball successfully — alleviating some of the pressure off Gallego. The balanced attack and a stifling Chargers defense culminated in a lifting shutout on the road.

“We were really close last week but missed our chances, but it’s good to get back on a winning track and feel good about ourselves again,” Grady said.

The Chargers (2-1) — who came in ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division 2 — jumped out to 21-0 lead in the first quarter, bolstered by rushing touchdowns by Carmichael and fellow senior Hunter Griggs. The quarter was capped off with a fumble recovery by the Charger defense and a 32-yard heave from Gallego to senior receiver McCade Barrett to pad the lead.

Before heading into halftime, it was Gallego who scored on a 15-yard rush that seemingly put the game out of reach.

Canyon High’s offense was stymied — turning the ball over multiple times and failing to reach 100 yards on either rushing or passing. The Comanches (1-2) hurt themselves all night — highlighted by a fumbled return on a kickoff and a failed fake punt attempt, both of which led to Chargers points.

The finishing blow came in the third quarter were Gallego linked up with senior receiver David Atencio for a 47-yard touchdown.

The Chargers will host San Juan Hills next week. The Stallions had defeated Canyon 21-0 in Week 1, but lost Friday in overtime to Capistrano Valley 14-7.

Edison 38, Canyon 0

Edison…….. 21 7 10 0 — 38

Canyon.……..0 0 0 0 — 0

FIRST QUARTER

Edison – Carmichael 5 YD run (Morrell kick), 8:42.

Edison – Griggs 1 YD run (Morrell kick), 2:13

Edison – Gallego 34 YD pass to Barrett (Morrell kick), 0:49

SECOND QUARTER

Edison – Gallego 15 YD run (Morrell kick), 3:16.

THIRD QUARTER

Edison – Morrell 25 YD kick, 10:33

Edison – Gallego 47 YD pass to Atencio (Morrell kick), 7:08

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Edison – Carmichael, 18-113, 1 TD.

Canyon – Nequette, 8-37.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Edison – Gallego, 8-12, 150, 2 TD.

Canyon – Bader, 4-6, 62. 1 INT.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Edison – Barrett 2-66, 1 TD.

Canyon – Phillips, 2-32.

JUAN CARLOS GONZALEZ is a contributor to Times Community News: Follow him on Twitter: @JGonzalezSports