Segerstrom has a bye but looks ahead to league opener vs. Garden Grove

Segerstrom quarterback Jesse Lopez prepares to pitch the ball to Noah Tagaloa Friday in a non-league game vs. Laguna Beach. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone).

Segerstrom High School’s football team has a bye this week but is looking ahead to the Big 4 League opener against Garden Grove on Friday, Oct. 14 at Segerstrom.

Teams in the Big 4 have only three league games.

“This week for our bye week we are focusing on getting healthy and focusing on football fundamentals and technique,” said Coach Joseph Tagaloa. “We need to focus on ourselves to try to eliminate the mental mistakes that plagued our pre-season schedule before we turn the page and prepare for Grove.”

Segerstrom will come into the game 1-6 while Garden Grove is 5-1 and meets Glenn in a non-league game Friday at Garden Grove.

“I know Grove is tough and Coach (Ricardo) Cepeda is going to have his guys ready, just as I will make sure that our guys are ready,” Tagaloa said. “Game planning has already begun, but install will start next week. I am excited to open up league play at our place because our fans are amazing. The Jungle is always rocking, which should be a great environment for a league opener.”

Segerstrom wrapped up non-league play with a 41-22 loss to Laguna Beach Friday night.

“We came out flat and struggled to get it going in the first half,” Tagaloa said. “In the second half we played a lot better but it wasn’t enough to get a win.

“On offense we were led by Noah Tagaloa who had two touchdowns, Noble Acosta who added another and Isaiah Valdivia who converted two, 2-point conversions. Our defense was led by Isaiah Valdivia and Jalen Cervantes. As with every game, we will watch the film to correct our mistakes and come back better.”

Segerstrom and Garden Grove were co-league champions last season.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com