Alemany football makes statement on prime-time TV in rout of Oaks Christian

MISSION HILLS – As the television crew began to prepare for Friday night’s broadcast, a hazy image of a scrawny, blonde-haired quarterback appeared on the screen. Fox Sports’ Prime Ticket was showing 22-year old footage of Alemany’s then-quarterback Casey Clausen as he made his television debut for the Warriors, who were the Indians back then.

The screen’s image faded from the fuzzy highlight to Clausen in a white Alemany polo on the sideline as he prepared his team for a much-anticipated matchup with Oaks Christian.

The quality of the broadcast was much more clear Friday night as now-quarterback Miller Moss starred in Alemany’s 44-7 home victory over Oaks Christian, avenging a 56-14 loss to the Lions last year.

“This was a statement win for the program,” Moss said. “Everyone knows what happened last year.”

Moss finished with 268 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-28 passing. Wide receiver Kevin Green Jr. tallied 94 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. Deonce Caldwell added 118 yards and a touchdown receiving.

Moss delivered as he usually does, but Alemany’s defense was stunning in what was a statement game for the Warriors.

Cornerback Jaylin Smith intercepted Oaks Christian to set up Damario Strong’s 13-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to make it 13-0. The defense forced a turnover-on-downs when the Lions had first-and-goal on the Alemany 4-yard line. It gave Moss the ball with his back against his own end zone, which set up a 91-yard touchdown pass to Deonce Caldwell to make it 20-0.

“Anytime the defense can give the ball back to the offense quickly by getting stops, that’s always a good thing,” Moss said.

Floyd Chalk later scored on an 8-yard touchdown run to give Alemany a 27-0 lead at halftime. It eventually ballooned into a 44-0 game late in the second half. Chalk paced the ground game with three touchdown runs.

3 TDs carrying the rock tonight.

Your GP Player of the Game @ChalkFloyd@RHaylock | @AlemanyFootball | #GOTW pic.twitter.com/WERM1AGpJl

— FOX Sports Prep Zone (@prepzone) September 14, 2019

There was skepticism about Alemany’s 3-0 start after it thumped subpar opponents that combined for a 1-9 record coming into the game. Not only will the skepticism be laid to rest, but the win will serve as a warning shot to the Mission League, which is filled with CIF Southern Section Division 1-2 teams.

“Eventually, we want to be able to compete with the teams in Orange County,” Clausen said of his program. “We’ll get there. This whole team is full of underclassmen.”

In Alemany’s first three games, Moss only played the first half in each game.

“It was a little frustrating only being able to play a couple quarters in each game. It was great to play a full game tonight,” said Moss.

Oaks Christian started sophomore quarterback Cole Tannenbaum instead of usual starter Jameson Wang, who didn’t play due to a knee injury. The Lions were also missing Mister Williams and Bryce Farrell. Williams is the team’s starting running back and linebacker. Farrell, a Stanford commit, has been out nursing an ankle injury.

In his first varsity start, Tannenbaum had impressive moments, but they weren’t enough against the speed and strength of Alemany’s defense, led by sophomore linebacker Niuafe “Junior” Tuihalamaka. Tuihalamaka is rising on recruiting charts as the best at his position in the country for his class.

Tannenbaum threw for 116 yards on 11-of-27 passing with a rushing touchdown, which he scored with less than 3 minutes to play in the game.

Alemany (4-0) will travel to Downey next week. Oaks Christina (2-2) will travel to Murrieta Valley.

91 yards @millermoss7's toss finds a nice set of wheels @deonce_caldwell@AlemanyFootball | #GOTW pic.twitter.com/KFDa1ORyep

— FOX Sports Prep Zone (@prepzone) September 14, 2019