Garden Grove Ends 9-Game Losing Streak

GARDEN GROVE — Garden Grove struggled offensively, but its defense came through Thursday as the Argonauts ended a nine-game losing streak with a 17-6 victory over visiting La Quinta in a Garden Grove League game.

The Argonauts’ defense, which had given up at least three touchdowns in each of its previous games, held La Quinta (2-6, 0-4 in league) to 89 total yards and shut out the Aztecs until the final minute of the game.

With the exception of a touchdown that was called back because of a penalty, neither team moved the ball with much success in the first half. Garden Grove (1-7, 1-3) blocked a punt with 2 minutes 19 seconds left in the half, recovering at the Aztec 19, and eventually got a 21-yard field goal from Steve Troncoso as time ran out for a 3-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Argonauts to expand that lead in the second half. On the first play from scrimmage, Daniel Do found a hole through the right side and went 75 yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead. Do finished with 127 yards in 13 carries. Robert Stebbins made it 17-0 with a five-yard sweep on the opening play of the fourth quarter.

La Quinta played the game without Jhamal Dawkins, their top offensive threat. The senior running back suffered a partial ligament tear in his left knee last week in a loss to Rancho Alamitos and might miss the rest of the season.