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GARDEN GROVE — Los Amigos’ football team entered the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinals Thursday with a perfect record and its best start in school history. The Lobos still wanted more.
El Rancho had other ideas.
The Dons forced three turnovers to shutout the Lobos in the second half and went on to collect a 40-20 victory at Garden Grove High.
In the semifinals next week, El Rancho (8-4) will play the winner of Friday’s San Gorgonio-Grand Terrace quarterfinal. It will be the Dons’ first semifinals appearance since 2018 in Division 10.
Los Amigos quarterback Adrian Ramirez, right, looks to get rid of the ball as El Rancho outside linebacker Kevin Padilla applies pressure in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho wide receiver Giovani Montenegro celebrates with offensive lineman Jayden Ruiz after scoring another touchdown against Los Amigos in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Amigos’ Adrian Ramirez is brought down by El Rancho middle linebacker Julian Acero, right, after gaining some yards in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho’s Ray Madrid III, left, lets a pass get away as Los Amigos’ Amari’e Maddox defends in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho cornerback Isaiah Sandoval, right, jumps up to pick off a pass intended for Los Amigos’ Chris Flores in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho running back Phoenix Navarro reaches for the goal line to score a touchdown against Los Amigos in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Amigos running back Isaac Galindo, left, gets away from El Rancho middle linebacker Javier Hernandez in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho players celebrate winning their CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff against Los Amigos in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho quarterback Ryan Dominguez gets ready to fire a pass against Los Amigos in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Amigos’ Erubey Bermudez (24) returns kick off against El Rancho in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho wide receiver Giovani Montenegro is lifted high by offensive lineman Jayden Ruiz after scoring a touchdown against Los Amigos in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho defensive tackle Diego Diaz runs the ball into the end zone to score a touchdown against Los Amigos in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho wide receiver Giovani Montenegro steps into the end zone to score a 2-point conversion against Los Amigos in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Los Amigos running back Raul Cruz sprints to the end zone to score a touchdown against El Rancho in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho running back Phoenix Navarro runs into the end zone to score against Los Amigos in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho players celebrate winning their CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff against Los Amigos in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Los Amigos quarterback Adrian Ramirez, right, looks to get rid of the ball as El Rancho outside linebacker Kevin Padilla applies pressure in the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinal playoff in Garden Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
“To stay perfect is hard. It’s hard and I think it showed tonight,” said Los Amigos coach Romel Guess, whose team finished 11-1. “We knew who we were facing coming in. It was a good El Rancho team, who has played some really good teams this year.”
“We stuck to what we do and our boys played their hearts out,” the coach added. “When you leave it all on the field, you don’t hang your heads on these types of games.”
El Rancho led 21-20 at halftime and then scored two touchdowns — adding the 2-point conversion each time — to take control in the second half.
The Dons didn’t turned the turnovers into many points but their defense against Los Amigos’ ground attack led to excellent field position. In the second half, El Rancho capitalized with a 3-yard TD by Diego Diaz in the third quarter and a 9-yard touchdown run by Phoenix Navarro early in the fourth.
“That was a great team win,” said El Rancho coach Adrian Medrano, whose squad placed third in the Del Rio League. “We talk about playing fast, playing tough and playing discipline, and we did that tonight.”
“Hats off Los Amigos (and) Coach Guess,” he added. “Great football team. Well-coached.”
Navarro rushed for 75 of his 88 yards in the second half. In the first half, the senior caught a 22-yard TD on a screen from QB Ryan Dominguez.
Dominguez also threw a 23-yard TD in the first half to Giovani Montenegro.
El Rancho led 21-20 at intermission thanks to Julien Acero blocking a 28-yard field goal attempt by Los Amigos on the final play.
The Dons’ special teams excelled in a first half that featured two lead changes.
Ray Madrid III had three long kickoff returns for El Rancho, including a 59-yarder late in the first half to the Los Amigos 34. On the next play, Dominguez scored on a 34-yard TD run up the middle and Joshua Campos added the PAT as El Rancho took a 21-20 advantage with 3:13 left in the half.
Campos converted all three of his PATs in the first half. He kicked a late 24-yard field goal to cap the scoring.
Madrid’s 59-yard kickoff return was timely because it answered a 46-yard touchdown run by Los Amigos’ Raul Cruz. The Lobos converted the PAT and briefly led 20-14.
In the second half, El Rancho blocked a punt. The Dons almost returned the ball for a touchdown but lost a fumble at the Los Amigos 3.
“We talked all week that special teams were going to be huge,” Medrano said.
