John Glenn easily defeats Firebaugh, 49-8, in non-league game

John Glenn wide receiver Tony Jefferson (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown with Alfonso Vega (2) as they play Firebaugh in their non-league game at John Glenn High School in Norwalk on Friday. John Glenn defeated Firebaugh 49-8. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

NORWALK – With 21 unanswered points in the opening quarter, host John Glenn High School easily defeated Firebaugh, 49-8, in a non-league game Friday (August 26).

In other area games, Norwalk defeated La Canada, 49-28 and St. Paul shutout Huntington Park, 37-0, while La Mirada lost to Yorba Linda, 28-13, and Santa Fe lost its seventh consecutive game dating back to last season. The Chiefs fell to Burbank, 34-30.

Glenn (1-1) travels to Cabrillo (2-0) of Long Beach tonight (Friday, September 2) for a non-league game.

Leading the way for Glenn was sophomore running back Tuiono Tuifua with 173 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns. Tuifua ran for TDs of 3, 18 and 36 yards.

JG senior running back Xander Martinez had 9 carries for 68 yards and a 13-yard touchdown.

“It was a pretty good game (Friday) and coming next week Cabrillo is going to be a good game,” Martinez said. “We went right down the hole and into the endzone.

“All of my teammates are very skilled players and I wish you were talking to them too because they all deserve it. I love them. They are all great players and (Friday) we all put our part in and worked as a family.”

Overall, the Eagles ran for 285 yards on 32 carries in the game, while senior quarterback Emmanuel Enriquez was 4 for 14 for 67 yards and a rushing touchdown of 11 yards.

John Glenn quarterback Emmanuel Enriquez (1) throws a pass as they play Firebaugh in their non-league game at John Glenn High School in Norwalk on Friday. John Glenn defeated Firebaugh 49-8. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

“After the first game (34-7 loss to Rowland) they were a little shaky to start the season,” Glenn Football coach David Cruz said. “This game (49-8 win over Firebaugh) allowed us to get back to our fundamentals. They swarmed us last week and that was our achilles and they turned it around.”

“We were able to run at will and I felt like we could score and we got our first victory of the season and played well defensively and our offensive line was the focus this week and they stepped up to the situation.”

Glenn opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 3-yard burst up the middle by Tuifua for the 6-0 lead and senior Joseph Chavez gave the Eagles a 7-0 advantage with the extra point.

After the ensuing kickoff halfway through the quarter, Firebaugh (0-2) fumbled the ball on the first play of the drive on the Glenn 24-yard line.

The Eagles capitalized on the Firebaugh mistake and Enriquez scrambled for the 11-yard score and the 13-0 lead. Chavez connected on his second extra point to lead 14-0.

With five minutes left in the quarter Glenn would extend its lead as junior free safety, Alfonso Vega, recovered a fumble on the Firebaugh 25-yard line.

Facing a fourth and six, Tuifua ran 18 yards for his second score of the game and the 20-0 lead.

With the extra point, Glenn took a commanding 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Falcons got on the scoreboard, 21-6 after a 60-yard rushing touchdown.

The 2-point conversion-run failed for the Falcons.

Firebaugh eventually got its two points, as they sacked Enriquez in the end zone for the two-point safety to trail, 21-8.

Martinez ran a sweep to the right for 13 yards for a late score and a 28-8 lead at the half.

Midway through the third quarter Glenn scored the only touchdown along with a 2-point conversion and the 36-8 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Cruz brought in quarterback Raymond Acosta (1 for 1, 53 yards) along with other subs, as the game turned to running time.

The Eagles scored twice more on a 40-yard punt return and a 60-yard passing touchdown by Acosta.

“Anytime the kids that have been working hard all week, I’m glad they got in to see what they do for us,” added Cruz.

Defensively, Cruz praised both senior defensive tackles “Jo Jo” Chavez and Mikel Udengwu for their dominating performances.

“They both are strong and open some holes and hope they can continue this week and show their muscles,” said Cruz, of the two players and the upcoming Cabrillo game.

Game highlights

Norwalk 49, La Canada 28

The Lancers were led by senior running back Michael Mueller with 206 yards on 17 carries and five touchdowns. David Herrera added 163 yards on 14 carries for a score.

The other score was by senior quarterback Caden Barnhill. As a team, six backs combined for 412 yards on 41 carries.

The Lancers scored 20 points in the first quarter and another 15 in the fourth quarter.

St. Paul 37, Huntington Park 0

The Swordsmen were led by junior quarterback Andrew Maushardt (14 for 21) with 247 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior running back Christian Melendez had 10 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown, while senior wide receiver Braedon Simonian led with five catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Yorba Linda 28, La Mirada 13

Senior quarterback Nehuel Garcia was 24 for 31 for 248 yards and two touchdowns, while senior running back CJ Zackery led with 89 yards on 14 carries.

Senior Xavier Hicks led all receivers with 74 yards on seven receptions and a touchdown. Freshman Gavin Lannon had three catches for 42 yards.

Garcia threw to nine different receivers in the game.