JOHNNY NGUYEN (23) leads the way for Cooper Starnes (8) in La Quinta’s 59-6 win over Saddleback on Thursday night at Bolsa Stadium. Starnes scored six touchdowns in the win (Orange County Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

There might be a new Aztec Empire rising over there at Ward Street and McFadden Avenue in Westminster.

The La Quinta High School Aztecs announced their candidacy for a Garden Grove League title or at least a playoff spot with authority Thursday night at Bolsa Stadium in Garden Grove.

Led by junior running back Cooper Starnes, who rushed for six touchdowns, the blue-and-gold dominated the visiting Saddleback Roadrunners by the score of 59-6 in a non-league contest.

With the score 42-0 at the half, both coaches agreed to a running clock for the  second half, keeping the scoring down. As it is, the Aztecs have outscored their last two opponents by a total of 62-6.

“We were prepared, we played hard and we got the win,” said Coach James Stewart. “There were times in the past,” he said, “when we were on the other side with a running clock. We rarely got a lopsided win like this.”

Now 2-1, LQHS has already matched last year’s win total. The Aztecs will try to go to 3-1 on Friday, Sept. 6 when they visit Costa Mesa High.

IN OTHER AREA high school football action Thursday night, Costa Mesa defeated Loara 22-7 and Anaheim beat Rancho Alamitos 41-14.