LA QUINTA AZTEC football team celebrates victory earlier this season (OC Tribune photo).

When the history of the 2023 Garden Grove League football season is written, it will probably be called “The Great Race,” or perhaps “The Very Good Race.”

With two league games played and three to go, La Quinta and Bolsa Grande are both 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the GGL. The Aztecs and Lobos will probably be able to settle it on Oct. 27, but each team will encounter potential tripping points before that in strong Rancho Alamitos and Santiago teams.

Of course, with all the possibilities when you have four contenders, the final champ(s) could end up being 4-1 or even 3-2. But the first steps toward sorting it all out will begin Friday night with Bolsa/Rancho and/or La Quinta/Santiago.

Western’s game against Santa Ana Valley – both 2-0 in the Orange League – might settle that matter. The Pioneers are the only team with an overall winning record in the OL, with their only loss being a 63-25 shootout against a powerhouse Los Alamitos team that is likely to face off against Edison on Oct. 27 for the Sunset League title.

Two football-only four-team leagues – Big 4 and Pac 4 – will start their three-game conference games this weekend. Ocean View vs. Laguna Beach could match the top two in the Pac 4, while Garden Grove vs. Marina looks interesting in the Big 4.

This weekend’s games

Here’s the schedule for area high school football games coming up. Most games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Times, locations, etc. are subject to change without notice, so check with the host school.

Thursday, Oct. 12

Newport Harbor (3-4, 1-1) at Edison (4-4, 2-0)

Anaheim (3-4, 1-1) at Magnolia (1-6, 1-1)

Westminster (5-2) at Godinez Fundamental (3-4)

Friday, Oct. 13

Bolsa Grande (5-2, 2-0) at Rancho Alamitos (4-3, 1-1)

La Quinta (5-2, 2-0) at Santiago (3-4, 0-2)

Los Amigos (3-4, 1-1) at Loara (0-7, 0-2)

Garden Grove (2-5) at Marina (3-4)

Fountain Valley (3-4, 0-2) at Huntington Beach (3-4, 0-2)

Pacifica (1-6, 0-2) at Kennedy (5-2, 0-2)

Ocean View (4-3) at Laguna Beach (6-1)

Western (6-1, 2-0) at Santa Ana Valley (3-4, 2-0)

Saturday, Oct. 14

Estancia (4-3. 1-2) at Orange (3-4, 2-1)

Outstanding Performances 

• Ethan Nguyen (Bolsa Grande) completed 18-of-29 passes for 141 yards and one TD and rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns against Santiago.

• David Nguyen (Bolsa Grande) rushed for 111 yards and one score.
• Brady Edmunds (Huntington Beach passed for 187 yards and two scores against Newport Harbor.
• Zack Rodriguez (Loara) passed for 173 yards and one touchdown against La Quinta.
• Andre Scott (Magnolia) passed for 280 yards and five touchdowns against Century. He also rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown.
• Sam Thomson (Edison) passed for 117 yards against Huntington Beach.
• Julius Gillick (Edison) rushed for 312 yards and five TDs.
• Hype Grand (Orange) passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns vs. Calvary Chapel.
• Anthony Luna (Western) completed 11 of 16 passes for 244 yards and five touchdowns against Savanna.

CIF-SS fall polls

BOYS WATER POLO

Division 1: Huntington Beach (eighth)

Division 2: Edison (others)

Division 4: Pacifica (others)

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Divisions 1/2: Huntington Beach (third), Edison (15th).