Area football roundup: Local teams open season with excitement
La Mirada receiver Xavier Hicks runs after a catch during practice at John Glenn High School in Norwalk. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
NORWALK – Highlighting the opening week of high school football was the debut of a new stadium at Norwalk High School – the first “home” game in the 65-year history of the school.
The St. Paul Swordsmen defeated Valley Christian of Cerritos, 41-14, while Norwalk fell to San Marino, 34-22. Santa Fe was shutout by Summit of Fontana, 34-0, and La Mirada’s late comeback fell short to El Toro, 24-21.
John Glenn will open its season tonight against Firebaugh for an away game.
La Mirada – Game of the Week
In the spotlight this week is La Mirada, which opened the season with a three-point loss to visiting El Toro.
The Matadores, who have now started their third consecutive year away from their home stadium, opened the 2021 season at their current “home,” Excelsior High.
After trailing early, 14-0, the Matadores came back and had a chance to tie the game in the last seconds of the game, but a 45-yard field goal fell short.
“For a season opener, it went down to the wire. We did some good things, but turned the ball over,” La Mirada coach Mike Moschetti said. “That loss is on me. We were out of rhythm in the first.
“The key to the game was that field goal at the end of the first half. In the second half we threw an interception and they scored and went up, 24-7.”
Leading the way for La Mirada was junior quarterback Neheul Garcia with 211 yards passing (20 for 32, 1 Int.) and two touchdowns.
On the ground, Matadores senior running back Eddie Lafferre ran for 101 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown and added 22 yards receiving.
La Mirada senior running back Amel White added 34 yards on five carries.
Junior wide receiver Xavier Hicks led La Mirada with 94 yards on seven receptions and a touchdown. Seniors Aidan Nasser (1 TD) and John Ojeisekhoba added 48 and 43 yards receiving, respectively, for La Mirada.
El Toro started the scoring near the end of the first quarter to lead, 7-0.
After a short 20-yard La Mirada punt that gave the Chargers the ball near midfield, they drove the ball 60 yards on nine plays for the score. It culminated with a 24-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Blake Miller (15 for 26, 213 yards, 2 TDs) to Trey Williams (5 catches, 78 yards) with 4:04 left in the quarter.
La Mirada quarterback Nehuel Garcia throws during practice at John Glenn High School in Norwalk. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Heading into the second quarter, La Mirada accounted for only two drives, one first down and punted twice.
With El Toro leading 14-0 midway through the second quarter, the Matadores defense, led by senior middle linebacker Ronnie Velasquez and Nasser, stopped El Toro on a third and seven at their 24-yard line.
The Matadores, who were 2-3 in the spring during the Covid five-game season, drove the ball 56 yards on 12 plays and cut the lead in half, 14-7, with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Hicks.
Highlighting the drive was a 16-yard pass to Hicks and a first-down reception to Ojeisekhoba, fighting off defenders down to the 20-yard line.
Lafferre also caught a 20-yard screen pass to set up the TD.
“He was banged up going into the game, but he ran hard,” said Moschetti, of Lafferre’s performance in the game.
The Matadores scored four plays later with less than two minutes in the half.
El Toro took the ensuing kickoff and drove the ball down to the 17-yard line, aided by a long pass and late pass interference by the La Mirada defense. With no time left on the clock, Chargers kicker Christian Lahore connected for a 34-yard field goal and a 17-7 halftime lead.
Another interception by the El Toro defense saw Williams score a pick-six and ran it in for a 65-yad score and a 24-7 lead with 5:30 left in the third quarter.
The Matadores defense, led by Hicks and Nasser in the second half, gave the offense a shred of light near the end of the third quarter.
Starting at their own 19-yard line, the Matadores drove the ball 81 yards on nine plays, ending with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Nasser with 9:41 left in the game to trail, 24-14.
Ojeisekhoba highlighted the drive with a 21-yard reception to the 14-yard line. Nasser did the rest as he fought off a couple of El Toro defenders for the score.
With eight minutes left, the La Mirada defense again forced Miller to scramble and set up a fourth down as he threw the ball to a receiver that was out of bounds.
Starting at their own 34-yard line, it was nearly all Lafferre on the 66-yard scoring drive, ending with a 2-yard score over the middle to trail, 24-21 with 7:04 remaining.
Lafferre caught a short 10-yard screen pass, ran for 41 yards, culminating with the short run for the TD.
On the ensuing El Toro possession, the Chargers marched down the field and two incomplete passes into the end zone, pressured by the La Mirada defense, gave the Matadores one last chance for a tie or win.
A big 50-yard catch and run by Hicks gave La Mirada one last chance to score deep in El Toro territory with 3:21 left.
The offense wasn’t able to cross the goal line, as Matadores senior kicker Aidan Petruescu came up short on a 45-yard field goal attempt.
Moschetti, was sad in defeat, but was happy for the kids and the nice showing in their opening game.
“These kids deserve to be in school and be on campus, which they are,” he said. “It felt good and La Mirada supported us with a good crowd.”
The Matadores traveled to Chaffey last night (August 26) for their second nonleague game of the season. (Results unavailable at press time).
San Marino spoils Norwalk stadium debut
The first real “home” game was played at Norwalk High School last Friday, with the debut of the new stadium and sports complex.
“It was such a celebratory moment,” said first-year Norwalk coach Ruben Guerrero, of the opening. “The teachers lined up for the players coming on to the field. It was a great atmosphere.
“I was happy for the community and the school. Just to be a part of it was awesome and it was a great night. We played a heck of a game and led by two at the half, but couldn’t hold on.”
In attendance was Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Superintendent John Lopez and Norwalk Council member Margarita Rios.
The Lancers held a 22-20 lead at the half, but couldn’t hang on as San Marino scored 14 points in the second half to win going away.
Leading the way for the Lancers was running back David Herrera with 130 yards rushing on 21 carries for 6.2 yards per carry average.
The junior also ran for two touchdowns.
Norwalk senior running back Jonathan Goodloe ran for 83 yards on 15 carries for the Lancers, while Sam Aguirre and junior Anthony Martinez (1 TD) ran for 25 and 23 yards, respectively.
Norwalk took the first lead of the game, after senior Damon Ramirez recovered a high snap by San Marino and Herrera capped off a 5-play drive with a touchdown run and the 6-0 lead.
San Marino took its first lead of the game on the ensuing possession with a 3-play drive and a two-point conversion to lead, 8-6.
Early in the second quarter, Herrera scored his second touchdown of the game, on a 1-yard run off tackle. That was followed by a 2-point conversion run by Aguirre and the Lancers led, 14-8.
San Marino tied the game, 14-14, as they failed to convert a 2-point conversion.
However, the Lancers again took the lead after a 29-yard kickoff return by Mike Mueller. It was followed by a 5-play drive and Martinez ran the ball for seven yards and a score. Herrera ran in the 2-point conversion for the 22-14 lead.
San Marino went on a 10-play drive and scored just before the half. The Titans failed on a potential tying 2-point conversion, as Norwalk led at the half, 22-20.
San Marino scored in the third and fourth quarters, while the Lancers were held scoreless.
“We moved the ball well in the second half, but fell short on a fourth and short,” Guerrero said. “In critical moments we weren’t able to execute.
I wish we could have pulled it off. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re still hungry.”
Starting quarterback Caden Barnhill did not play due to Covid protocols. “The kids played hard without Barnhill under the circumstances,” Guerrero added. “The kids played their hearts out.”
Senior Angel Amador started in place of Barnhill.
St. Paul wins opener
St. Paul began the season on a high note with a 41-14 win over visiting Valley Christian.
After a slow start in the first quarter trailing, 14-6, the Swordsmen scored 35 unanswered points to win going away for their win on opening night.
Leading the way for St. Paul was quarterback Isaiah Dunn with 232 yards of total offense, including three touchdown runs.
The senior ran for 76 yards on nine carries and passed for 156 yards (15 for 25).
“He’s (Dunn) probably the fastest guy on the team,” St. Paul coach Rick Zepeda said. “He’s a very well-rounded kid.
“After having more time at quarterback, he is more comfortable now.” Zepeda was referring to the five games Dunn played in last spring in the Covid-shortened season.”
St. Paul sophomore running back Christian Melendez ran for 105 yards (8.1 Avg.) on 13 carries and two touchdowns, while sophomore Ty Bowers added 42 yards on five carries.
Dunn connected with seven receivers, as junior tight end Aidan Bravo and senior Nathan Saldana led with 43 and 40 yards, respectively.
Highlighting the defense was junior linebacker Cody Kautz with a scoop and score, running back a 24-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter for the Swordsmen to give them a 34-14 lead.
After Valley Christian scored the first touchdown for the 7-0 lead, Dunn scored the first of his three TDs with a 12-yard run, to trail, 7-6.
The Defenders retook the lead on the ensuing kickoff with an 80-yard score and the 14-6 lead.
“That first quarter seemed like it was forever,” Zepeda said. “We were down in that first quarter and then started playing to our expectations.”
And started playing they did, as the Swordsmen took control of the game with Melendez (3-yard run) and Dunn (23-yard run) scoring. Sophomore Ryan Lemus converted a 2-point, conversion-run after Melendez’ score.
St. Paul led 21-14 at the half.
In the middle of the third quarter, Saldana ran back a long punt return for 65 yards setting up a short 2-yard TD run by Melendez for the 28-14 lead.
After Kautz’ scoop and score early in the fourth, Dunn finished off the scoring with his third touchdown of the game with a 12-yard run.
Leading the defense for the shutout in the second half was safety Devin Munoz with an interception and two sacks. Seniors Sonny Troncoza and Israel Gallardo led the defense with six and five solo tackles, respectively, for the Swordsmen.
“I feel rejuvenated now to be back out here in practice,” Zepeda said. “I feel comfortable putting them back on the field now and play St. Paul Swordsmen football again.”
Santa Fe shutout
Santa Fe suffered a 34-0 shutout to host Summit of Fontana in the opening game under new coach Carl Agnew. The Chiefs played Dominguez on Thursday (August 26). Results were unavailable at press time.
Glenn opens season Friday
The Eagles open their season Friday night and travel to Firebaugh of Lynwood Friday (August 27).
“We’re not battle-tested at all,” John Glenn football coach David Cruz said. “I’m missing two offensive linemen and it’s been a rough process.”
A player that might get some attention this season is senior Iona Young.
“He’ll surprise somebody and he’s a good running back,” Cruz said. “We have a decent size line but I’m worried about our continuity.”
The Eagles will suit up 51 players, which includes 22 sophomores and nine freshmen.
Glenn competes in the 605 League against Cerritos, Pioneer and Artesia. Glenn won league in 2019 with a 3-0 record.