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Andy Guerrero lead the Matadors to victory

(Rosemead) The San Gabriel Matadors capitalized on three turnovers and cruised to a 48-20 victory over the Rosemead Panthers Friday night at Rod Marinelli Stadium.

The two schools from neighboring cites haven’t met since 1981 in a game which the Matadors won 16-6. 29 years later the Matadors picked up where they left off much to the chagrin of Rosemead HC Matt Koffler

San Gabriel (2-3) got on the board first with just under eight minutes left in the first quarter. Joey Villalobos hauled in an 8-yard pass from Andy Guerrero. The touchdown was set up by the first turnover of the evening when Alex Villalobos picked off Rosemead quarterback Matt Macias. The extra point was blocked leaving the Matadors in the lead 6-0.

The Panthers (2-2) stormed right back on the ensuing drive marching 80-yards on nine plays. Matt Fregoso punched the ball in from a yard out and Chris Cancino added the extra point to put Rosemead up 7-6.

Two roughing calls, one punterand one passer against San Gabriel aided the Panthers to a 14-6 lead on the second score of the evening by Fregoso.

San Gabriel got back on the board with 2:55 left in the second quarter. Initially Andrew Gibson picked off a pass from the Matadors Eric Alvarez. While returning the interception, Gibson was hit and the ball was knocked loose. San Gabriel made the recovery and six plays later Arthur Brown carried the ball into the endzone from six yards making the score 14-13 Panthers.

On the ensuing drive is where the wheels fell of the wagon for Rosemead. Macias rolled to his right and looked for a receiver down field. Macias was hit at his own nine yard line and the ball squirted free. The Matadors Matthew Tafoya scooped the ball up and cruised his way into the endzone for the score.

San Gabriel got their third score within the last three minutes of the second period on a 34-yard strike from Guerrero to Andres Fernandez. The touchdown was set up by Alex Villalobos’ second interception of Macias.

After the half, Rosemead came out the the locker room looking to right the ship and cut in to the 27-14 deficit going on an eight play drive into Matador territory. On third and short near the San Gabriel 40, Macias plowed into the line of scrimmage and lost control of the ball. Alex Villalobos picked up he rock and was off to the races 60-yards to paydirt.

Paul Cruz came on in relief of Macias and unfortunately for the Panther faithful in attendance, didn’t fair much better. On the sixth play of the ensuing drive, Cruz coughed up the ball. This time it was Brown with the scoop and score from 45-yards. Gilmar Tenes added the extra point and the rout was on 41-14

The lone bright spot on the night for Rosemead was the play of Fregoso. Down 21 points with a little more the four minutes left in the third quarter, Fregoso got loose and was gone on a 75-yard dash to glory. Fregoso finished the evening with 146-yards on 33 carries with all three Panther TD’s.

The final dagger for San Gabriel was provided by Guerrero and Fernandez on a 13-yard rainbow to the corner of the endzone. Guerrero also set this score up on a 50-yard punt return to the Rosemead 30.

After the game, San Gabriel HC Jude Oliva spoke about the victory. “Its a very sweet one for us because its a cross town rivalry. Fifty percent of our kids grew up playing with fifty percent of their kids and I know it was a big deal for our kids. When coach Koffler and I scheduled this one, it was a good deal among friends. Coach Koffler coached me when I was a Rosemead Rebel.

The Matadors take next week off before they open league play at Montebello while the Panthers travel up the road to take on Temple City.

Scoring Summary