ISSAC GALVAN (6 in black) of Orange High confronted by Garden Grove’s Bryant Tran in the Panthers’ 48-0 win over the Argonauts Thursday at Monsoon Stadium. Galvan rushed for 140-plus yards, scored two TDs and five 2-point conversions (Orange County Tribune photos by Jim Tortolano).

By Christopher Abdelmalek

Starting off the season with a loss is always tough for any team. Starting it off without your star player is even worse. That is what the Garden Grove High School Argonauts faced on Thursday night after dropping their home opener to the Orange High School Panthers 48-0 at Michael Monsoor Memorial Stadium in Garden Grove.

CZALN LOBAUGH ran for 63 yards for Garden Grove.

Garden Grove was missing its top player, Jordan Sanchez, due to an injury. He was a veteran presence for the Argos. Coach Ricardo Cepeda said “He broke his collarbone, and that changes our offense a little bit.” Sanchez is expected to be out for the next six to eight weeks. “We are heavy on the run and we didn’t have a guy that touched the football before today,” referring to the new starters on offense.

Quarterback play was a bit on and off for the Argos. Czaln Lobaugh got the call behind center and played as well as he could. “He was our best player tonight,” Cepeda said. Lobaugh only attempted three passes and missed on all three attempts. But his poise in running the option tonight should be recognized. Against the Panthers’ stout defense, Lobaugh managed to put up a team high 63 yards rushing.

However, two turnovers and no production on the offensive side usually doesn’t equate to a victory. “[We] can’t fumble the ball three times in the first half and win. We are going to have to figure it out. We’ve got an uphill battle, which is unusual for us,” said Cepeda after the game. “Orange is a good team. They’ve got good players over there.”

The Panthers started off hot tonight and did not cool down till the final whistle. Their first drive ended with a 65-yard run from running back Isaac Galvan to go up 8-0, and that would be really all they needed. Galvan was electric for the Panthers, carrying the ball eight times for over 140 yards and two touchdowns. He also added on five 2-point conversions.

DAYLEN PEDROZA passed for 150 yards and one touchdown for the Panthers.

“He is a stud. Our offense had it rolling tonight,” Orange head coach Robert Pedroza said of Galvan’s performance.

While Galvan was the main attraction, he was humble about his performance after the game, “My performance came from my O-line, my O-line bailed me out tonight.” But when asked him what to expect from him this season, he responded with simply a number: “2000.”

Quarterback Daylen Pedroza also played well, going 9-10 passing for 150 yards and one passing touchdown. Pedroza called his quarterback “a natural leader.” Daylen also added 51 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground as well. His best play came on a crossing route to Andrew Andrade for a 26-yard score putting the Panthers up 24-0 and crushing the hopes of the Argos.

Garden Grove (0-1) plays at home on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. against Santa Ana. Orange (1-0) will go on the road to face Yorba Linda High School on Sept. 5 also at 7 p.m.

Thursday high school football results

(scores will be posted as they become available)

• Orange 48, Garden Grove 0  (see details above).
• Marina 56, Torrance 0
• Anaheim 42, La Quinta 14: The Aztecs lost their season opener at Glover Stadium in Anaheim. LQ’s Jayden Clark scored on an interception return and Rolland Crisostomo on a 10-yard run.
• Rancho Alamitos 30, Savanna 24: Jacob Castro threw for three touchdowns, all to Seymore Brown, to lead the Vaqueros to the win at Bolsa Stadium.
• Edison 55, Carson 21: Charger QBs Jacob Hanlon and Braeden Boyles threw for four touchdowns combined as the Chargers improved to 2-0.