Lions win one for Hector Urias
By Edwin Arreola
(El Monte) – The El Monte Lions pulled off a second half comeback thanks to the stellar play and four touchdown performance of Michael Jimenez to beat Mountain View 28-21 Friday night at Lions Stadium.
The EMHS homecoming affair was also the Mission Valley League opener for both schools.
Jimenez got it started right out of the gate with a 65-yard rushing touchdown on El Monte’s first play. Jacob Hurtado would miss the extra point attempt and keep the score at 6-0 in favor of the host.
On Mountain View’s second drive, Jossymar Ulloa scored from 12-yards out and View led 7-6 at the end of the first.
A blocked punt gave the Vikings good field position at around the Lion 40 on their next possession and Jose Zamora would cash in from 1-yard out.
El Monte knocked in a field goal on its next drive but the halftime score was 14-9 Mountain View.
View’s second half opening drive resulted in a touchdown after a Jossymar Ulloa scored on a reverse 66-yards to make it 21-9 Vikings.
The Lions jumped right back in it on their next two drives with a Jimenez 7-yard rush and a 55-yard punt return to the house leaving it 22-21 Lions at the end of the third.
In the fourth, View’s Jerry Ponce got picked by Frank Lopez and El Monte would drive down the field for another Jimenez touchdown from 4-yards. The Vikes drove into Lion territory again when Ponce got picked yet again by Lopez just outside the end zone with 3:17 left and a couple of Jimenez runs and knees would seel it for the Lions.
Jimenez ran for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
The Vikings Ulloa ran for 156 yards and two scores. Robert Ramos and Jose Zamora added a combined 130 yards and a touchdown.
The Lions play at Gabrielino next week as they look to go 2-0 in league while View goes home to try to beat South El Monte for the first time in school history.
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