It’s strange to highlight two defensive plays as major game-changers in a game that saw more than 100 plays from scrimmage and almost 1,000 yards of total offense.

However, that was the case Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium as Los Alamitos High forced two important turnovers by Newport Harbor that boosted the host Griffins to a 62-27 Sunset League victory.

The first four possessions of the game ended in a score and Los Alamitos (6-1, 2-0) led 14-10 when junior Schuyler Whitehead forced a fumble that Trevor Replogle recovered near midfield. Three plays later, Griffin quarterback Jack Telenko hooked up with Denzal Brantley on a swing pass and the senior running back took it 51 yards for the touchdown.

Los Al took a 35-20 lead into halftime.

The first three possessions of the second half ended in touchdowns until Los Alamitos linebacker Blake Johnson forced an errant pass that fellow senior Matt Locher intercepted and took 45 yards to pay dirt to break the momentum and put the home team up three scores.

“We needed some revenge,” said Locher, noting that Newport Harbor (3-4, 1-1) beat Los Alamitos in overtime two years in a row and edged the Griffins by a field goal when Locher and the Class of 2015 were freshmen. “I hate Newport Harbor. They got me in basketball too. We wanted this a lot and it feels good. Last year (the Los Al football program) really stepped it up and we’ve got a good group of seniors to take it to the next level.”

Telenko was an impressive 14-for-16 passing with 258 yards and a touchdown. Brantley racked up 177 yards on the ground in the first half alone and ended the night with three touchdowns and 258 all-purpose yards. Locher also had three rushing touchdowns of 2 yards each to go with nine solo tackles on defense plus the interception return.

Newport Harbor quarterback Cole Norris was 21-for-42 passing with 288 yards and three touchdowns while his favorite target Keaton Cabley hauled in 10 receptions for 137 yards.