Botello Bowls Titans to Victory

Pioneer's Jonathan Ventura returns to the sidelines after intercepting a pass at the end of the first half

By Tony Solorzano

(Garden Grove) – A last minute touchdown by leading running back Tony Botello lifted Pioneer to a 13-7 victory over Rancho Alamitos Thursday night at Bolsa Grande High to close out non-league play.

Few in attendance were expecting the final game before the opening of the Del Rio League portion of the schedule to be anything but easy for the Titans (3-2), who expected a hard match from the winless Vaqueros (0-5). And it was a defensive struggle for two of the four quarters.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Titans scored 40 seconds into the second, as Botello, the junior running back, scored from 25 yards out to give the Titans the early 7-0 lead. However, Rancho Alamitos’ sophomore quarterback, Robert Torres began to push the Vaqueros towards the Titans’ end zone, but as they reached the Titan 13-yard line, Jonathan Ventura intercepted Torres’ pass and returned it past mid-field. However, as the Titans were driving, quarterback Daniel Castro was picked off with five seconds left in the half by senior Gilbert Rosales, ending the half with the Titans up 7-0.

The third quarter, like the first, was also scoreless however, midway through the fourth quarter, Titans kicker John Lobos’ 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked and picked up by the Vaqueros’ Cesar Asencio, who returned the ball 85 yards for the tying touchdown. Despite the efforts of the Titans’ tandem quarterback squad of Castro and Carlos Vasquez, the game seemed destined to end in a tie. That’s when Botello, who had 104 yards of rushing in the first half, threw open the floodgates. Helping engineer a final drive from their own 15-yard line, Botello scored from six yards out to give the Titans the lead back. However, Lobos’ point-after attempt was off so Rancho Alamitos still had a small opening to win the game with only 23 seconds left to play.

Torres, in two passes, got the Vaqueros into Titan territory, but with five seconds left a desperation throw towards the sideline at his leading receiver, Miguel Carrion, was intercepted by Ruben Robles, securing the win for the Titans.

Pioneer dominated the stats on the night, gaining 305 yards of total offense compared to Rancho Alamitos’ 111. Castro and Vasquez went a combined four for 12, for 59 yards. Vasquez’ two completions were to leading receiver Eddie Aguirre while Castro connected with Jeremy Corona and Paul Alvarez. Vasquez was also sacked three times, all on one series, losing 15 yards. Botello was the star on the ground, carrying the ball 32 times for 208 yards and the two touchdowns, his fifth straight 100-plus yard game. He currently has 963 yards in five games, and is averaging 192.6 yards per game.

For the Vaqueros, Torres had eight completions out of 18 attempts for 73 yards, but was sacked twice and intercepted twice. Carrion, Torres’ main target made five catches for 61 yards, while Brett Hurley was the main weapon on the ground, carrying the ball 17 times for 53 yards.

Pioneer has a three-game home stand starting next Friday as the Cardinals open Del Rio League play at Titan Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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