Bolsa’s test vs. Beckman

By OC Tribune Staff on August 21, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

THE BOLSA GRANDE football team takes on Beckman this week. Both are 1-0 (GGUSD photo).

Last year, a surprising Bolsa Grande team came within a whisker of grabbing a piece of the Garden Grove League football title, and made history by being the first Matador squad to qualify for the CIF-SS playoffs in 34 years.

In previous seasons, opponents could discount the prospects for the Bolsa team, but after a 6-6 season in 2022 – and a trip to the second round playoff game – nobody can look past Michael Acosta’s team this time.

A good test of how good the Mats will be will come on Thursday when they host Beckman High of Irvine. Both will come into the game with 1-0 marks. Bolsa bested Savanna 27-22 and the Patriots hammered Santa Ana Valley High 54-0.

Each team has an outstanding quarterback. Ethan Nguyen is a top-notch passer who also runs well. He had 278 total yards vs. Savanna and accounted for all four scores for his team.

As for Beckman, Austin Shepard passed for 205 yards last week. But the Patriots also have a multi-pronged rushing attack as well, with seven ball carriers combining for 175 yards and five touchdowns.

Another interesting game on Thursday will be Pacifica at Garden Grove. Both teams lost their openers, but since these are former Garden Grove League rivals who graduated to higher levels and don’t play each other every often, it should be of special interest.

Therefore you could think of this game as a sort of unofficial city championship contest, although Bolsa Grande, Rancho Alamitos and Santiago might object to that.

Here’s the Week One schedule as posted by MaxPreps. Details (as always) subject to change. Games should all start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Thursday

Beckman (1-0) at Bolsa Grande (1-0)

San Bernardino (1-0) at Los Amigos (0-0), 6 p.m.

Huntington Beach (1-0) at Trabuco Hills (0-0)

Pacifica (0-1) at Garden Grove (0-1)

Orange (1-0) at Villa Park (1-0)

Friday

La Sierra (0-1) at Rancho Alamitos (0-0)

Godinez (1-0) at La Quinta (0-1)

Loara (0-0) at Estancia (0-0)

Edison (0-1) at Leuzinger (1-0)

Fountain Valley (1-0) at Marina (0-1)