MAGNOLIA’S Joseph Lariz (25, with ball) gets his uniform torn while carrying the ball for the Sentinels Thursday night against Rancho Alamitos at Bolsa Stadium. Sents rallied in the second half to beat the Vaqueros 21-7 (Orange County Tribune photos by Jim Tortolano).

By Chris Abdelmalek

Jordan Rodriguez of Magnolia High School stole the show and the ball on Thursday night as he recorded two interceptions and returned one for a 24-yard touchdown in a 21-7 victory over last year’s Garden Grove League champions Rancho Alamitos High School.  This was the final non-league match up for both teams and they each now sit at a 3-2 mark on the season.

Rodriguez scored on the interception late in the fourth quarter to seal the game for the Sentinels tonight. He also was the primary receiver for quarterback Angel Alvarez, recording four of Alvarez’s six completions for a total of 46 yards.

“Jordan Rodriguez, when he is focused, is the best player on the field both offense and defense,” said Coach Desmond Hernandez on his star player.

Not to be outdone by his teammate, running back Lloyd Marshbanks, led the way for Magnolia tonight on offense, rushing 11 times for 82 yards and scoring the teams only offensive touchdown in the game. This came on a 1-yard scamper down the left side, and he capped that off with a 2-yard rush up the middle for a 2-point conversion. That made the score 8-7 minutes into the second half.

ISSAC PLATA passed for 142 yards and a touchdown for Rancho Alamitos in the Vaqueros’ 21-7 loss to Magnolia Thursday night at Bolsa Stadium.

Rancho led 7-0 after halftime, but the game was dominated by the Sentinels in the second half. They rushed the ball efficiently and most importantly they stopped the Vaqueros offense completely in the final quarter. Hernandez talked about his defense after the game, saying “We challenged them at halftime and we said no more, they gave up a touchdown after a turnover and we said no more.”

To go along with Rodriguez’s two interceptions the defense also forced a third interception and a bad snap late in the fourth quarter that was scooped up and scored to make it 21-7 with less than a minute to go in the game.

The Vaqueros quarterback Isaac Plata did have some nice moments in the game tonight to go along with his three interceptions, including a 28-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Stephan Monge. Plata finished 14-for-32 passing for 142 yards and that score.  Running back Jason Nguyen rushed the ball 11 times for 41 yards. Overall the offense had some good plays but the defense eventually figured out the play calls and started to jump the routes.

Magnolia (3-2) takes on Savanna High School (1-3) next week to kick off Orange League action. “All we know is 56-7, and we are going to change that,” said Hernandez about their next opponent, which defeated the Sents 56-7 last season.

Rancho Alamitos (3-2) looks to defend its GG league title as the Vaqueros host Loara High School (3-1) next week as well. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. kickoffs.

Here are Thursday night local high school football results.

• Orange 60, Irvine 14. Panthers lead 46-0 at halftime and are now 4-1.
• Anaheim 27, Santiago 24. Cavalier record goes to 2-3, as does the Colonists’ mark.
• Magnolia 21, Rancho Alamitos 7. Sents and Vaqs are now both 3-2.