PHOTOS: Western Pioneers bounce back with non-league road win over La Mirada

Malachi Alatorre, who led Western in rushing, celebrates near the end of the game Friday night. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

Regardless of past success, when you’re bulldozed in the first game of the season, it’s going to take a while for your psyche to heal.

That was the reality for Western High School’s football team Friday night.

The Pioneers, overwhelmed by Los Alamitos a week ago, seemed unsettled through two-plus quarters at La Mirada before finding their mojo midway through the third quarter and running away to a 42-7 victory.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Western Coach Dan Davidson applauds players' effort after the game.

Western's JJ Amezca, who had a spectacular evening catching 13 passes for 191 yards makes a play.

Western's Malachi Alatorre is wrestled to the turf by La Mirada's Tuiono Tuifua (21).

Friday night sunset in La Mirada's new football stadium.

Western's Mark Williams congratulates Aden Luna (51) on a fumble recovery.

La Mirada Hall of Fame members at the game were introduced during pregame ceremonies.

Western coaches provide advice for the Pioneers.

La Mirada's Max Rankin makes one of the best catches of the night.

Western cheerleaders, from left, Melanie Ramirez, Bella Valencia and Layiah Ledesma return to earth after a stunt.

After traveling to home games at Excelsior High School (8 miles) for five seasons, the La Mirada chain gang is home again, from left, Mike Martinez, Marcos Munoz, Omal Sanchez, Brad Pollard and Mark Cwglietta.

Western's JJ Amezcua is tackled by La Mirada's Gavin Dionne after gaining first down yardage.

The Western fans were small in number but big in enthusiasm.

Western Coach Dan Davidson inspires his team.

Carol Gunderson then a cheerleader at rival Bellflower High was at one of the first games at the original La Mirada High School Stadium and she was been at countless Matador sporting events since while working at the school from 1996 to 2017 as a hearing specialist. Now Carol Gunderson Emerling (husband Jim is in the photo) she has been the school's volunteer photographer at hundreds to events in the last four decades.

“We were more quiet than usual in the locker room before the game,” Western Coach Dan Davidson said, “and we had some mistakes, dropped passes in the first half that, in retrospect, were helpful because they remind us that we have things to work on.”

La Mirada was playing on its campus for the first time since 2018 in a new stadium that drew rave reviews from everyone, including the referees, in attendance. Western scored first, on its opening drive, then labored, depending on its defense to protect a 14-7 lead well into the third quarter before the offense finally got untracked.

Quarterback Noah Gidden completed 21 of 38 passes most of them going to JJ Amezcua, who had 13 receptions for 191 yards. Malachi Alatorre led the running game with 85 rugged yards in 17 carries.

The Pioneers are on the road for the third week in a row Friday, playing at El Toro.

—Courtesy Jim McCormack for OC Sports Zone