Historic Night for Los Alamitos: CIF-SS Champions Once Again, Score 33-20 (2025)

San Clemente – Thalassa Stadium (SCHS)

For the second straight week, Los Alamitos overcame a double-digit deficit — this time on the biggest stage of the season — to capture its first CIF Southern Section football title since 2002.

The Griffins fell behind 10–0 in the opening quarter, but stormed back behind a relentless ground game led by Kamden Tillis, Lenny Ibarra, and senior quarterback Colin Creason, rallying for a 33–20 victory over San Clemente on Saturday night in the Division 2 championship game.

San Clemente (10-5) struck first after a steady opening drive capped by Colin Granite’s 8-yard touchdown run. After a Los Al fumble at the goal line, the Tritons added a field goal late in the first to take a 10–0 lead.

Los Alamitos (13-2) settled in during the second quarter. Creason connected with Tillis for a 37-yard gain to set up Beckham Hofland’s 29-yard field goal to make it 10–3. Moments later, Granite found the end zone again on a 2-yard run to extend the lead, but the Griffins answered fast. Tillis sprinted through the middle for a 31-yard touchdown run, and after a defensive stop, Creason hit Hofland down the right sideline for a 29-yard score to tie the game 17–17 before halftime.

The Griffins seized control in the third quarter. After a San Clemente field goal put the Tritons ahead 20–17, Los Al responded with one of the wildest plays of the postseason — an errant option pitch was kicked loose before offensive lineman Luke Wehner scooped it up and rumbled 3 yards into the end zone for a go-ahead score.

Tillis extended the lead minutes later with a 30-yard touchdown run, his third of the night, putting Los Alamitos up 30–20. The defense then took over, forcing three second-half turnovers, including interceptions from Lenny Ibarra and Koa Marasco to secure the victory. Hofland added a 24-yard field goal in the final minutes to seal the title.

Creason was precise all night, completing 15 of 21 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while Tillis carried 14 times for 130 yards and 3 TDs, adding 53 receiving yards. Ibarra added 99 yards on the ground as Los Alamitos racked up 431 total yards.

With the win, Los Alamitos claimed the CIF-SS Division 2 Championship — its first section title in over two decades — and punched its ticket to the CIF State Regional Bowl.