Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton looks on the field as quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) jogs out to the field during a nonleague game against Lincoln of San Diego at Westminster High School Friday, August 27, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
LOS ALAMITOS — Los Alamitos football coach Ray Fenton believes that his team is now the measuring stick of success.
“We’ve come a long way but we just have so much farther to go,” Fenton said.
Even with a 4-0 record, Fenton does not believe the Griffins are ready for Sunset League play, which kicks off for Los Alamitos on Oct. 1 against Corona del Mar.
Fenton said nonleague wins over San Diego Lincoln (2-1) and Clovis Buchanan (3-1) were hard-earned against quality opponents.
Before league play, the Griffins’ latest test comes against Santa Margarita (3-1) on Friday at 7 p.m.
“Every game is a big test for us,” Fenton said. “Our biggest opponent oftentimes is us.”
Los Alamitos prides itself on being a balanced, yet adaptable team, that is equally comfortable passing and running the ball.
Fenton said it is important to be able to recognize what the opponents’ defense wants to do and have a counter to that.
“We’re ready for just about anything and what they give us, we try and take,” Fenton said.
Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton during a nonleague game against Lincoln of San Diego at Westminster High School Friday, August 27, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos High coach Ray Fenton vs. Long Beach Poly High at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, Calif. Sept. 6, 2019. (Leo Jarzomb, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton gives instructions to his players during a nonleague game against Vista Murrieta at Cerritos College in Norwalk on Friday, August 30, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos High head football coach Ray Fenton works with his players in Los Alamitos on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton shows his displeasure at a call nullifying a recovered fumble during a punt to Edison, referees ruled the play had to be played again in a Sunset League football game at Cerritos College.
in Norwalk on Friday, October 26, 2018. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton celebrates a Griffins touchdown at Cerritos College in Norwalk on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton gets his team ready at Cerritos College in Norwalk on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton during a Sunset League game against Huntington Beach at Huntington Beach on Friday, October 19, 2018. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton questions a call during the first half of their Sunset League football game against Edison at Huntington Beach High in Huntington Beach, CA on Thursday, October 19, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Alamitos High head football coach Ray Fenton works with his players in Los Alamitos on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Los Alamitos High head football coach Ray Fenton works with his players in Los Alamitos on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Los Alamitos head coach Ray Fenton looks on the field as quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) jogs out to the field during a nonleague game against Lincoln of San Diego at Westminster High School Friday, August 27, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
After missing the fall 2020 football season, Fenton’s program focused on playing five club football games and ultimately went 6-0 during the 2021 spring season, which kept the team sharp.
“That helped us early on. We were definitely ahead of everybody when it came to this fall,” Fenton said. “But if we’re not careful, people are going to catch up to us.
“We know that for Santa Margarita this is a huge game for them. We’re not only their homecoming game but personally, they’ve targeted us for a long time. They’ve talked about it in their preseason preview of how much they’re looking forward to playing Los Alamitos, so here we are.”
