BOLSA QUARTERBACK Ethan Nguyen passed for 198 yards and four TDs. He rushed for 41 more yards in Thursday’s CIF-SS 2012 playoff win over Duarte (Orange County Tribune photo by Jim Tortolano).

Last season the Bolsa Grande football team stunned local prep circles when it qualified for the CIF-SS playoffs for the first time in 34 years.

But in 2023, the Matadors won’t be able to sneak up on anybody and may be strong enough to challenge Rancho Alamitos’ grip on the Garden Grove League title.

Head coach Michael Acosta’s team has nine starters back on offense and defense, led by senior quarterback Ethan Nguyen (who also plays safety), senior wide receiver-linebacker Joseph Le and junior center-defensive lineman Muhamad Mutus.

In 2022, the Mats finished 6-6 overall and finished in a tie for third in the GGL. Bolsa advanced to the Division 14 quarterfinals and are now ranked number one in that division.

In 1988, Bolsa won the first CIF-SS football title by any GGL team. It’s possible it could happen again.

Here’s the BGHS schedule. League games are marked with an **

• Friday, Aug. 18, hosting Savanna at 6:30 p.m.;  Thursday, Aug. 24, hosting Beckman at 7 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 1, hosting Artesia at 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 8 at Century High; Friday, Sept. 15. at Ocean View at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 28, at Loara, 7 p.m.**
• Friday, Oct. 6 hosting Santiago at 7 p.m.**; Friday, Oct. 12 at Rancho Alamitos, 7 p.m.**; Thursday, Oct. 19 hosting Los Amigos, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct 27 vs. La Quinta**.

Schedule subject to change.