LOS ALAMITOS — Los Alamitos football senior quarterback Malachi Nelson has been looking forward to this moment all season.

“We’re super excited. Blessed to be in this position to compete at a high level,” Nelson began. “The (CIF-SS) Division 1 playoffs is probably the toughest bracket in America.”

He didn’t know exactly who Los Alamitos (8-2) would play in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs until two weeks ago but he always believed his team had the talent to be there.

“I’m ready to go,” Nelson said. “I’ve been put in some big-time positions before and you have to perform right. That’s part of the job as a quarterback, you’re thrown into the fire. You’re put in positions where there’s a lot of pressure on you to perform at a high level, especially with all the rankings and stuff like that, just adds even more right.”

He is also confident Los Alamitos has the experience and work ethic needed to match up well against Long Beach Poly (10-0) on Friday at Veterans Stadium.

“I’m ready to go and I’m ready to prove what we can do,” Nelson shared. “I don’t think they’re ready for what’s about to hit them truly. They haven’t played anyone of our caliber yet. It’s going to be a shootout and we’re ready to go.”

“I don’t think they’re ready for what’s about to him them,” said Malachi Nelson ahead of Los Alamitos’ D1 playoff game against Long Beach Poly on Friday. @Malachi talks about his team’s experience, running game, strong offensive line and improved defense. @bruce_bible pic.twitter.com/e8F2TIe4Ig

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 10, 2022

In 10 regular season games, Nelson threw for 2,626 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns and three interceptions with a 68% completion rate. The 6-foot-3 USC commit has also rushed for two touchdowns.

In 2021, Los Alamitos lost 63-38 to St. John Bosco in the Division 1 quarterfinals. Nelson wants this year’s section playoffs, which begin with a rivalry game against Poly to be different.

“I’d say win,” Nelson said with a smile on his face. “I thought we competed well last year. The offense played very well. Bosco is obviously a very historic program and they ended up winning but I thought we played fairly well last year and I think we carry that over this year. We have a lot of guys that played at that level last year, who are ready to come back and get a win this year.

“I think we have a really good chance and we’re ready to go.”

Nelson believes his team’s experience featuring seniors wide receivers Makai Lemon (USC commit), Ethan O’Connor (UCLA commit) and senior running back Damian Henderson (Colorado State commit), gives the Griffins a shot to make a postseason run.

“I think it’s the experience. We were young, still learning last year. We’re a senior-heavy team this year and a couple of us have been here for four years ad we’re ready to go, and we’re ready to win. It’s all the games that we’ve played in, the experience. We brought this team out of Florida earlier in the year and played a solid team out there. I think we’re battle tested and we’re ready to go.”

Meanwhile, he’s also thankful for Henderson, who has more than 1,400 rushing yards in eight games this season.

“It’s definitely helped out tremendously. Damian is a very solid football player and to be able to have him add a different aspect to the offense of what you have to stop,” Nelson explained. What are you going to stop, the passing game, the running game, you’re going to have to choose and I think that makes us more dangerous.”

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Nelson, also believes his team’s defense has significantly improved this year, especially during their 5-0 record during Sunset League play.

“We have guys over there,” Nelson said. “It’s hard to play against. I practice against it in practice so I know what these offenses are facing and its definitely difficult and we’re blessed to have them on the other side of the ball.”