No. 3 Esperanza (1-0) vs. Rancho Alamitos (1-0)

7 P.M. BOLSA GRANDE HIGH

Rancho Alamitos shocked Esperanza last year, 38-14, behind the running of David Vickers and Alex Blanco and a swarming defense. But Vickers and Blanco are gone and so is the element of surprise. Rancho Alamitos Coach Doug Case is aware that he might be facing an ornery group. “They got beat by a Division VIII team and it probably puts a sour taste in their mouth,” Case said. “They’re not going to overlook the Ranch, if they did last year.” The game will likely be won up front and the edge goes to Esperanza, which has an offensive line that averages 290 to Rancho Alamitos’ 215.

KEY PLAYERS

Esperanza

QB Grant Wagner 63%, 228 yards, 1 TD

RB Jarrod Schuster 111 yds, 7.9 yd. avg.

TE Bo Ashabraner 5 catches, 73 yds.

Rancho Alamitos

QB George Gonzalez 61.5%, 2 TDs, O Ints.

RB Anthony Huizar 106 yards rush, 1 TD

WR Mike Bertelson 5 catches, 24.6 yd. avg.