Los Alamitos Wins Shootout Over Granite Hills, Score 49-42 (2025)

Los Alamitos – John Barnes Field (LAHS)

Los Alamitos faced its stiffest challenge of the season Friday night against defending CIF San Diego Section champion Granite Hills — and showed it could win a shootout. The Griffins leaned on a balanced attack from quarterback Colin Creason and running back Kamden Tillis to pull out a 49-42 victory at home, improving to 6-0 on the season.

Things didn’t start smoothly. Los Alamitos fumbled on its opening possession, and Granite Hills quarterback Zachary Benitez immediately capitalized with a 55-yard touchdown strike. The Eagles struck again later in the first quarter on an 87-yard pass to lead 14-7.

But the Griffins’ no-huddle offense quickly found its footing. Creason answered with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Gogue, and after falling behind again, Los Alamitos erupted for four touchdowns in the second quarter. Gogue caught his second TD on a 15-yard pass, Tillis powered in from 8 yards out, Creason added a 20-yard scramble, and Tillis capped the half with a 7-yard run. By halftime, Los Alamitos led 35-21.

Granite Hills kept the pressure on in the second half, scoring on a 1-yard run to cut the margin to 35-28. Tillis responded with his third touchdown, a 4-yard run, to push the lead back to 42-28. The Eagles closed within seven again on a 6-yard pass, but Creason’s 5-yard keeper restored the cushion. Benitez’s 1-yard sneak with under three minutes to go made it 49-42, but Los Alamitos’ offense ran out the clock to seal the win.

Creason finished with 271 passing yards, two touchdowns through the air, and two more on the ground, while Tillis delivered a workhorse performance with 205 rushing yards on 34 carries and three touchdowns. Receiver Leo Swietlikowski added seven catches for 99 yards, and Gogue caught four passes for 35 yards and two scores.

Defensively, the Griffins came up with three takeaways, including fumble recoveries by Brandon Uruza and Logan Moore. Linebacker Caeson Miller led the defense with 11 tackles, and safety Lenny Ibarra added an interception.

Head coach Ray Fenton praised his team’s ability to answer every challenge. “We knew how dangerous Granite Hills was, but our kids kept their composure and responded when we had to,” he said.

Los Alamitos closes nonleague play next week against Calabasas before diving into Alpha League play against county powers Mission Viejo, Edison, and San Clemente.