MidValleySports.Com

Elijhaa Penny ran over and through the Apache defense. (Photo by Anne Cypress)

(Arcadia) – Norwalk’s two-prong running attack of Billy Moore and Elijhaa Penny bruised and punished the undersized defensive line of Arcadia enroute to a 35-27 win in the opening round of the CIF Southeast Division.

The highly-recruited Penny ran for 131 yards on 30 carries and scored three times for the Lancers. Moore added 121 yards on the ground on 19 carries and also scored a touchdown.

With the Lancers known more for its ball-control offense on the ground, dealt the devastating blow to the Apaches on a 26-yard pass play from Adrian Diaz to Donovan Gumbs to give Norwalk a 28-21 lead with 1:28 remaining in the third. Gumbs haul of Diaz’s pass was nothing short of incredible with Arcadia’s Andrew Alvarez all over him attempting to defend him in the end zone.

The Apaches suffered its biggest loss with 49-seconds remaining in the first half when receiver Taylor Lagace ran off the field injured after a 25-yard reception that saw Legace fall awkwardly on his shoulder. He would not return for the remainder of the game. Lagace made a nice route-run on a post-corner route for a 12 yard touchdown reception to open up the scoring.

Without Legace, John Wong stepped in admirably with five catches and 89 yards for two touchdowns. Wong’s first touchdown on a 12-yard streak-play tied the score at 14 heading into the halftime intermission.

Myles Carr shined for Arcadia going 20 of 36 for 296 yards and three touchdowns.

Norwalk used its three-300 pound offensive lineman to wear down the Apaches with long scoring drives that would finally break the spirits of the defense. Four of the five touchdowns had the Lancers drive for six plays or more and eat up at least two and half minutes each time.

After trading scores for the better part of three quarters, the Lancers took an insurmountable lead with 8:11 remaining when Penny scored his third touchdown of the evening from one-yard out.

Arcadia never showed character right after the score with a nine-play drive that fell short at the Norwalk 3-yard line with 5:09 remaining in the game.

Lancers then tried to run the clock with Penny trying to gain positive yards on to have the ball stripped. Arcadia’s Lawrence Chan would fall on it giving the Apaches much needed life.

Three plays later, Sheldon McKinley found the end zone from four-yards out to cut the deficit to eight with 4:51 to go.

After a three and out for Norwalk, Arcadia was left with 2:27 to go and starting at its 33-yard line. With two consecutive successful running plays the Apaches set-up shop at the 44-yard line. On the next play the drive would take a huge hit when Carr running for his life was flagged for intentional grounding and effectively stalled the final drive for the Apaches.

Norwalk will now return to Excelsior Adult School to host La Serna.