GARDEN GROVE — After a five-year hiatus, one of the Orange County’s oldest high school football rivalries resumed on Friday, as Garden Grove defeated Rancho Alamitos, 20-10, in a nonleague game at Garden Grove High School.
The Argonauts (2-3) and Vaqueros (3-2) played every year from 1959 to 2019, before league realignment sent Rancho Alamitos to the Orange Coast League, while Garden Grove remained in the Garden Grove League.
Garden Grove quarterback Calvin Keovphan (12) runs for yardage against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Quentin Pacelli (4) of Garden Grove manages to keep his balance as Joe Vazquez (1) of Rancho Alamitos attempts to trip him up during a game at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rancho Alamitos quarterback Vincent Gentile (6) gets a pass off under the defensive pressure from Victor Baires (5) of Garden Grove in a game at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Davian Sanchez (5) of Rancho Alamitos gets pulled down by Brayden Garcia (16) of Garden Grove in a game at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Davian Sanchez (5) of Rancho Alamitos catches a pass over the defense of Johnny Lauro (24), left, and Christian Mendoza (1) of Garden Grove in a game at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Garden Grove quarterback Calvin Keovphan (12) passes in a game against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Quentin Pacelli (4) of Garden Grove breaks free for a touchdown during a game against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Quentin Pacelli (4) of Garden Grove runs for long yardage in the closing seconds of the first half of a game against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joe Vazquez (1) of Rancho Alamitos is tackled by Carlos Garcia (13) of Garden Grove in a game at Garden Grove High School..in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Quentin Pacelli (4), left, of Garden Grove celebrates after scoring a touchdown in game against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Quentin Pacelli (4) of Garden Grove stiff-arms Erick Najera (21) of Rancho Alamitos as he runs for yardage in a game at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jacob Vasquez (2) of Rancho Alamitos attempts to break free from Carlos Garcia (13) of Garden Grove in a game at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Garden Grove football team breaks through the banner as they take the field in their game against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Garden Grove High cheer team members Melissa Valdovinos, left, and Vy Nguyen, ham it up for a photo, dressed in patriotic apparel for the USA-themed game against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Garden Grove quarterback Calvin Keovphan (12) runs for yardage against Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Along with bragging rights, the teams played for the Jack Jordan Memorial Trophy, which was donated by Garden Grove principal Donald Jordan and his wife Juanita in honor of their late son.
“It feels good,” said Garden Grove wide receiver Aaron Payan, who had touchdown receptions of 52 and 76 yards. “It feels good to keep the trophy home.”
Garden Grove took a quick 14-0 lead on a pair of big plays and got a clutch effort from defensive back Christian Mendoza, who had two interceptions, one in the end zone, as the Vaqueros were 9 yards away from a touchdown. The second interception came just before halftime, when Rancho Alamitos had possession on the Garden Grove 25.
“I learned this quarterback’s tendencies,” Mendoza said. “He’s staring at his guy the whole time. I’m able to pick up on things like that quickly, so I feel like I was able to get there really quickly.”
Rancho Alamitos received the opening kickoff and wound up turning the ball over on downs.
The Argonauts took over on the Garden Grove 41 and on their second play from scrimmage quarterback Calvin Keovphan connected with Payan for their first touchdown.
Garden Grove started from the 20 Following Mendoza’s first interception, and five plays into the drive, Quentin Pacelli scored on a 52-yard run.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound back ran for 169 yards on 20 carries, showing the ability to gain tough yards up the middle while displaying the speed to run for big gains on the outside.
“He’s probably the best running back I’ve seen,” said Argonauts coach Matthew LemMon. “I’m shocked that he has no college offers.”
The Vaqueros’ lone touchdown came on a 7-yard pass from Jacob Vasquez to Davian Sanchez with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
Rancho Alamitos quarterback Vincent Gentile completed 22 of 36 passes for 187 yards and Sanchez finished with 11 catches for 67 yards.
“I was really excited,” said LemMon on resuming the rivalry. “Hopefully they want to play us again and we can keep it going again.”
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