HUNTINGTON BEACH — A decades-old rivalry was renewed in a new league when Los Alamitos and Edison faced off in the Alpha League football opener for both teams Friday at Huntington Beach High School.
After allowing an early touchdown, the Chargers kept the Griffins out of the end zone for the remainder of the game and came away with a 21-10 victory.
Edison wide receiver Jake Minter, right, corralled by Los Alamitos defensive back Justice Croffie (5) in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Ayden Degiacomo celebrates in the end zone after scoring on a pass play against Los Alamitos in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos defensive back Justice Croffie, left, breaks up a pass intended for Edison’s Ayden Degiacomo in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos quarterback Alonzo Esparza, right, is sacked by Edison outside linebacker Matt Lopez as he tries to scramble out of the pocket in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos running back Jerod Terry, Jr., right, doesn’t make it very far as he runs into Edison linebacker Jeremiah Ross in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Ayden Degiacomo finds the field wide open to the end zone after catching a pass in the fourth quarter against Los Alamitos in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos running back Lenny Ibarra returns a kick off against Edison in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos quarterback Alonzo Esparza fires a play action pass against Edison in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Edison wide receiver Aidan Brown, left, gets some more yardage after a catch before he is stopped by Los Alamitos cornerback Jackson Bennett, right, in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Ayden Degiacomo, right, beats Los Alamitos’ Arion Langin to make the catch deep in Los Alamitos territory to set up a score for Edison in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The Edison team prepares to make their entrance for their Alpha League football game against Los Alamitos in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos cheerleaders keep the crowd entertained during in an Alpha League football game against Edison in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
An Edison cheerleader watches the play on the field in an Alpha League football game against Los Alamitos in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Edison wide receiver Jake Minter, right, corralled by Los Alamitos defensive back Justice Croffie (5) in an Alpha League football game in Huntington Beach on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The victory was the first for the No.10 Edison (6-2, 1-0) over the No.7 Los Alamitos (4-4, 0-1) since 2019, when both teams were in the Sunset League.
The Chargers and Griffins (4-4,0-1) battled each other in the Sunset League for 30 years before leagues were restructured going into the 2024 season.
“It obviously means a lot to beat a good program,” Edison coach Jeff Grady said. “And I don’t really look more into it than that. We have limited opportunities as a football team. You only get 10 games on your schedule, so every game is big.”
Only the top two teams in the new four-team league will earn a guaranteed playoff berth and with each team playing only three league games, every contest has playoff implications.
The Chargers will take on No. 2 Mission Viejo next week and the Griffins will play San Clemente.
Outside of the Trinity League, the four-team Alpha League is the premier league in the county.
“I think it is kind of an honor to be in this league,” Grady said. “I think it speaks to both programs.”
Edison led 14-10 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Sam Thomson hit Ayden Degiacomo for 28-yard touchdown to make it a two-score game with three minutes, 16 seconds remaining.
Thomson, a sophomore, had entered the game in third quarter after starting quarterback Savelio Niumata left the game with an injury.
Savelio, who has seen plenty of varsity action, completed 5 of 7 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Los Alamitos got the ball back after Degiacomo’s touchdown and quickly drove down the field with its rapid-fire, no-huddle offense.
But after advancing to the Edison 12, the Chargers forced four consecutive incompletions.
Matt Lopez led the Chargers’ defense with two sacks, the second sack coming inside the red zone.
Maddox Thomas had an interception on the next play.
“Knowing this quarterback, he likes to scramble out,” Lopez said. “So, I found a gap, took my shot, and boom, made a play.”
Edison received the opening kickoff and punted on its first possession.
The Griffins took over on the Edison 20 and on first down, Lenny Ibarra ran through a hole on the left side of the line and raced for an 80-yard touchdown.
The Chargers fumbled and gave the ball right back to the Griffins on the ensuing possession but were ultimately forced to punt.
Running back Julius Gillick once again led Edison’s ground game, running for 219 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
“I got here last year, but I knew about this rivalry even before I moved here,” Gillick said. “It’s historic.”
