The Griffins began 2001 rated #3 in Orange County and #4 in the CIF Division 1 polls.  In their season opener, they handed El Modena its only regular season loss, 41-31, as all-League Quarterback Tim Bessolo threw for an OC season high 441 yards (a Los Al school record) and four touchdowns.  All-CIF and All-County Receiver Kevin Van Gorder caught twelve passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns.  The Griffins then lost to Santa Margarita 21-14 and Leuzinger 28-21.

Los Al rebounded to beat undefeated St. John Bosco 42-17, then overwhelmed Buena 43-10, to give Coach John Barnes his 200th career victory. Los Al opened league play with a 23-13 win over Fountain Valley as Quinton Jones rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns, then downed Marina 39-7 but lost Bessolo to a season-ending injury.

Los Al then faced undefeated Edison, and their All-American quarterback, Tommy Grady, in what would be one of the wildest games in Griffin history.  Los Al played without three of their starting four defensive backs in the second half, but rallied from a 14-0 deficit to tie Edison 14-14 with junior Jeff Kline throwing a 13-yard TD pass to Travis Brody with 13 seconds left.  The touchdown was a miracle in that Los Al just minutes before had driven to the three yard line, but fumbled the ball away on the center snap.  On the very next play, Edison fumbled the ball back to Los Al at the one.  Not content to accept charity, Los Al again fumbled the ball on the ensuing play, leaving the fans exhausted and the Griffins with only two timeouts with just over two minutes to play.  But Los Al’s defense, behind Shay Murphy and Joe Garcia, forced a punt which All-CIF, All-County, Sunset Lineman of the Year Ricky Parker deflected, giving Los Al the ball at the 26 and Kline and Brody the opportunity for their last-second heroics.

The Griffins then downed Huntington Beach and Esperanza 38-10 to capture their 11th league championship.  In the win over the Aztecs, Quinton Jones rushed for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

Los Al won the first round CIF playoff game against St. Paul, 28-7, faced Serra League champ Santa Margarita.

The Griffins avenged their early season loss with a 29-20 victory, to earn a semi-final match-up with an awesome Poly team.  Los Al scored first and its defense stopped the vaunted Poly rushing game featuring USC-bound Hershel Dennis, but the Jackrabbit passing attack eventually prevailed 28-7.