Los Amigos defend goal line to claim Omicron League title

Los Amigos held on to win the Omicron League football championship on Friday.

The Lobos defeated the University Trojans 34-31 in a game that featured eight lead changes. The contest ended with a critical defensive stop at the goal line. Los Amigos had only feet of space to protect as University pressed for a go-ahead score. The clock ticked down, leaving little time for recovery if the ball crossed the plane. The Trojans needed a half-yard gain for a first down and two yards to take the lead.

Nose guard Luis Serrano and cornerback Alexis Marcelo-Chamu made the decisive plays. Serrano, a senior who transferred from Santa Ana two years ago, came across the left side to stop Kurtis Nivens for no gain. A pre-snap penalty moved the ball back to the 7-yard line. University quarterback Dylan Elmer then scrambled to his right. Marcelo-Chamu sprinted in and made the tackle short of the first-down marker along the sideline. The stop held off the Trojans and secured the title for the Lobos.

The second half saw the teams trade touchdowns on nearly every drive. Marcelo-Chamu rushed for two touchdowns after the break. He also sought redemption for a fumble on a kick return in the first half. Serrano described the team's resilience. He noted that the group did not have the largest or most skilled players in the state but possessed heart. He said they did not give up even when the ball was one yard from the end zone. Serrano added that he loves his teammates to death.

Marcelo-Chamu acknowledged the emotional journey of the game. He stated that he started the second half poorly but knew he had to step up on the final play. He said he put his body on the line for the team when he saw the quarterback run. Head coach Romel Guess, who is in his sixth year, emphasized that the league title was a goal but not the end goal. He said the team remains excited but not settled. Guess pointed to his past experiences of winning league titles and losing early in the playoffs. He stated that the team is looking to hold a CIF title at the end of the run.

Senior wide receiver Dennis Smith was a key performer for the Lobos. He recorded 10 catches for 161 yards and three touchdowns. He also played defensive back. Dennis Smith said he had been waiting for this game since Week 1. He mentioned that after a loss to Playa del Rey St. Bernard, he knew the team would face another tough opponent. He said he prepared mentally and physically for this specific matchup. His brother, junior quarterback Trell Smith, completed 16 of 18 passes for 278 yards. He also rushed for 25 yards, surpassing 300 yards of total offense.

Brandon Flores, Chance Hein, and Marcelo-Chamu each had two catches for over 30 receiving yards. The Lobos had multiple options to move the ball through the air. The defense forced punts on University's first two possessions but struggled later to get off the field. Players like Kevin Velez, Dennis Smith, Issac Castillo, Christopher Anacleto, and Serrano created negative plays. University quarterback Dylan Elmer threw for 252 yards and four touchdowns. He worked primarily through Charlie Carmichael, who had 116 receiving yards, and Moises Keith-Chavez, who had 83 receiving yards. The final lead change came with seven minutes left when Elmer threw a 35-yard pass to Keith-Chavez for a touchdown. That score gave University a 31-27 lead before Los Amigos scored the final points.

Guess described the team as tough and resilient. He said the kids have no quit in them and will not lay down for anyone. He noted that the team could have shaken by playing an ugly game but remained steady. Los Amigos secured its fourth league championship in five seasons. The program had gone 14 years between league titles before winning the Garden Grove League crown in 2008. The Lobos, now 9-1, have won nine games in a row. They will host Ojai Nordhoff, also 9-1, on Friday at Michael A. Monsoor Memorial Stadium for the CIF Southern Section Division 11 playoffs.