MidValleySports.Com

Village Christian & HC Jeff Cortez are moving forward in CIF.

By Big George Hernandez

(El Monte) Village Christian pounded the ball and never quit and came up with an upset 31-24 win over Azusa Friday night at Ctrus College, in the first round of the Mid-Valley playoffs.
The Aztecs got on the board first when Jose Nunez found Abraham Ochoa in the end zone to make it 7-0.

The Crusaders would cut into the lead with a safety to make it 7-2, after getting the ball back they took the lead when Amjed Aboul-hosn smashed into the end zone to put Village Christian up 9-7.

The score wouldn’t stay like that for long when Nunez drove Azusa down field and hit Adrew Zarco take the lead back at 14-9.

Kyle Custer showed off his arm when he scrambled and found Cody Burns on a 24-yard catch and run to paydirt to make it 16-14. The Aztecs took the lead with a 25-yard field goal by Jesus Arteaga to make it 17-16 before halftime.

In the third quarter both teams showed off their defense shutting each other out. Azusa got on the board again early in the fourth quarter on Nunez’ third touchdown pass. This time he hit Brian Nieto from 15-yards out to make it 24-16 after the extra point.

The Crusaders didn’t give up, they pounded the ball and capped it off with a 15-yard touchdown run by Aboul-hosn to make it 24-22. After a questionable pass interference call on Village Christians first two-point conversion attempt, Aboul-hosn took it in again on the two-point conversion to tie it up at 24-24.

The Aztecs got stuffed on three straight plays, and on fourth and four on their own 17 yard line they tried a fake punt and failed by inches and gave the ball back to the Crusaders with only 21 yards to go to the end zone.

The Crusaders kept the ball on the ground and with 58-seconds left Josh Rolls took it in from 1-yard out to make it 31-24 after the extra point.

Azusa still had a chance after a 25-yard pass completion to Ochoa, Nunez fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Jay Pyburn to seal the win for the Crusaders.

Ochoa also had a pick on defense, and Edwin Garcia had a sack for the Aztecs.

Village Christian goes home in the second round and faces Mission Valley league runner up Rosemead. Azusa, which started off 10-0, goes home.