Randy Collins congratulates Alejandro Restrepo on his game winning interception
(Walnut) Alejandro Restrepo intercepted Billy Livingston in the endzone to seal a 49-42 overtime victory over the Covina Colts Friday night in an epic battle at Ken Gunn Stadium on the campus of Walnut High School.
The homecoming crowd was treated to one of the best shootouts in the San Gabriel Valley as the Mustangs’ Brandon Roach, Aubrey Coleman, Jason Tsukada and the Colts’ Billy Livingston and Vinny Venegas needed a little more than three quarters to light up the scoreboard with 91 points.
Both teams were held scoreless in the opening frame and it wasn’t until 10:30 left in the first that Walnut (2-1) broke through with the first score of the night. Roach rolled left avoiding the rush and fired the ball deep down the middle of the field. Tsukada out dueled the Covina secondary for the ball and was off to he races for 79-yards and the touchdown.
Covina (3-1) answered the salvo with three unanswered scores of their own, Livingston connecting with Venegas on touchdown strikes of 11 and 21-yards sandwiching a seven yard run by Venegas.
Venegas had a night players dream about accounting for five of the Colts six touchdowns. Three through the air, and two on the ground including a 94-yard kickoff scamper. The return came just after the Mustangs tied the score early in the third period. Venegas’ evening included nine catches for 190-yards and two carries for 12.
Roach overcame two early interceptions with five touchdown strikes, two to Coleman, two to Tsukada and one to Shiloh Lewis. Roach also completed 22 of 41 passes for 330-yards and carried the ball nine times for 66-yards.
The two teams battled back and fourth reminiscent of a Hagler-Hearns brawl amassing more than 800-yards of total offense.
Vinny Venegas scores five times for the Colts
With 2:12 left to play in the fourth, the Colts got what they hoped would be the final points for the night on a 40-yard strike from Livingston to Venegas. Livingston not to be outdone by Roach was 18 of 26 for 334-yards and three touchdowns.
Down 42-35 and time running down, Coleman set his team up with excellent field position returning the ensuing kickoff to midfield. Seven plays later Roach lobbed the ball high in the endzone in the direction of Coleman. Coleman used all of his 6’5” frame to sky pull the ball from the night sky. Nicole McKee, who was money on extra points (seven total), booted the extra point to tie the game with 34.9 second remaining.
Covina had a chance to end the game late as back to back passes of 19 and 29-yards from Livingston to Venegas set the colts up at the Walnut 13-yard line. Rather than risk a turnover, Colt’s head coach Darryl Thomas sent in the field goal unit with :09 left on the clock. Randy Robledo’s 30-yard attempt fell short leaving the score tied with just a few ticks left.
The Mustang offense came back on the field, Roach took a knee and the teams were headed for overtime.
Walnut won the toss and lined up at the 25 for their first opportunity in the California tie breaker. The Mustangs needed four plays for the score. With the ball on the three, Coleman lined up as part of a full house backfield. Coleman took the pitch, followed his blockers and high stepped to paydirt. McKee added he extra point giving Walnut the advantage.
The Colts then took the stage for a shot at tying the score. Livingston was sacked on the first play leaving Covina looking at second and long. Consecutive passes by Livingston to Venegas and Peter De La Cruz set the Colt up at first and goal.
Livingston rolled to his right and fired the ball low and towards the endzone. Restrepo cut in front of the pass, went low and picked the ball off to end the game.
Summary:
Covina: 0 21 6 15
Walnut: 0 14 7 21 7 OT
10:30 2nd Qtr: Tsukada 79-yards from Roach (McKee kick)
8:51 2nd Qtr: Venegas 11-yards from Livingston (Robledo kick)
5:14 2nd Qtr: Venegas seven yard run (Robledo kick)
4:20 2nd Qtr: Venegas 21-yards from Livingston (Robledo kick)
:12 2nd Qtr: Coleman 11-yards from Roach (McKee kick)
9:36 3rd Qtr: Tsukada 13-yards from Roach (McKee kick)
9:21 3rd Qtr: Venegas 94-yard return (PAT failed)
11:42 4th Qtr: Brown two yard run (McKee kick)
8:26 4th Qtr: Robledo 13-yards from Livingston (2pt conversion)
6:58 4th Qtr: Lewis 32-yards from Roach (McKee kick)
2:12 4th Qtr: Venegas 40-yards from Livingston (Robledo kick)
:34 4th Qtr: Coleman 10-yards from Roach (McKee kick
OT: Coleman three yard run (McKee kick)
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