THE ARGONAUT football team opening the first game at the new Michael Monsoor Stadium Friday night with flags and flourishes (Orange County Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano

The crowd was huge, the ceremony patriotic, heartfelt and spectacular. However, the football game that followed was not quite as covered in glory as what preceded it.

Thousands of fans –perhaps 3,000 or more – packed the home side of the new Michael A. Monsoor Stadium on the campus of Garden Grove High School Friday night for the opening ceremonies of the facility named after the Medal of Honor winner who was a 1999 graduate of GGHS.

THE PATRIOT PARACHUTE TEAM dropped in at the Monsoor Stadium (OC Tribune photo).

The crowd was treated to music, a flyover by three Navy helicopters and a parachute drop by a former Navy SEAL – Monsoor’s unit – bearing a huge American flag. There were inspiring remarks, applause, and finally, some football.

Being the first game to be played at the stadium, it was history-making but disappointing for Argonaut fans as the red-and-white lost 28-7 to the visiting Woodbridge Warrior team.

After scoring on their first possession on a 14-yard run by quarterback Jacob Zauzeta, the Argonauts were unable to muster much offense. Their defense was tormented by the Woodbridge’s agile quarterback Nick Nash, who ran the keeper and sprintouts with maddening agility. He directed the visitors to four unanswered scores, running for two and passing for two more.

Nash capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard dash to tie the game up at 7-all at 6:37 of the first quarter. Five minutes later he ran the ball in on fourth and goal from the one and the Warriors led 14-7 at the intermission

JACOB ZAUZETA scores for Garden Grove in the first quarter (OC Tribune photo).

Woodbridge took the opening kickoff of the second half and after a 55-yard kickoff return by Chance Rainey that brought the ball to the Argo 42, got its third score on a 13-yard pass from Nash to Will Serio at the 8:42 mark of the third period.

Grove struck back – sort of – on the next series. On first and 10 from the Grove 49, Zauzeta threw a sideline pass to T.J. Taufetee, who raced 51 yards into the end zone to the raucous delight of the home crowd. But the play was called back on a holding penalty, and the Argonauts would not get close to scoring the rest of the night.

In the fourth quarter, the visitors slammed the door shut at 8:07 as Nick Nash threw a 42-yard bomb to Jacob Nash for the final score.

Woodbridge improved its pre-league record to 1-2, while the Argonauts fell to 1-2. Grove will next play on Friday, Sept. 15, hosting Pacifica High, hoping again to christen their new home with a victory.

Other Friday night results

• Edison 38, Canyon 0: The Chargers rolled past the Comanches behind backup QB Mateo Gallego, who passed for 146 yards and two scores. Edison is now 2-1 and will play San Juan Hills (2-1) next Friday.
• Westminster 34, Marina 20: The Lions won the “Battle at Boswell” and improved their record to 2-0. Noah Melbon threw for 136 yards for Westminster (2-0); Ian Green had 172 yards for the Vikings (2-1). WHS will take on Katella (2-1) next Thursday; MHS gets Santa Ana (1-1) on Friday.
• Ocean View 33, Rancho Alamitos 10: Two “Noahs” led the Seahawks to the win. Noah Hickman passed for 100 yards and two TDs, while Noah De Loera ran for 166 yards. OV is 2-0 and will next play Santiago (1-1) on Thursday. Rancho (1-1) takes on Anaheim (0-2) on Friday.
• Tesoro 55, Huntington Beach 13: The Oilers fell to 0-3 with the loss and will take on Wilson High (1-2) of Long Beach next Friday.
• La Quinta 51, Webb Schools 14: The high-scoring Aztec offense rolled to its second straight win Friday. LQ takes on Loara (1-1) on Friday.