MidValleySports.Com

West Covina's Defense was definetly #1. (Photo Anne Cypress)

(Bellflower) – West Covina’s red zone defense held true to form midway through the fourth quarter to help hold off a gutsy-Mayfair squad 28-19 in the CIF Southeast Division semi-finals.

The Monsoons appeared ready to take the lead after an Aaron Brown 23-yard run set them up at the West Covina 4-yard line. After two unsuccessful runs, Mayfair tried a third time to run against tha stingy Bulldogs defense only to be thwarted by Maurice Dupleasis and George Castro on Jerry Smith’s third and goal at the four-yard line.

With the Monsoons facing a fourth and goal, head coach Mike Fitch entrusted kicker Stephen Uribe to try a 24-yard field goal with 5:59 remaining in the game to take the lead. Uribe’s kick fluttered harmlessly to the right of the West Covina end zone to secure a school record 12^th victory for the Bulldogs.

George Johnson scored two touchdowns in the second half to help secure West Covina’s first trip to the finals since 2004.

Johnson’s first score, from two-yards out to help give the Bulldogs a 21-19 lead with 9:42 remaining in the third quarter.  The touchdown came on the opening drive of the second half.

The second score with 44 seconds left in the game sealed the victory for West Covina. Johnson capped off a 10-play drive on a 14-yard run.

For the first 24 minutes, both teams could do no wrong on offense with each team mirroring the others drives.

Mayfair would waste no time getting on the board in the first quarter as they marched straight down the field on its first possession of the game. Jason Logologo (19 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns) powered through the Bulldogs defense for a 16-yard score.

B.J. Lee tied the game at seven from five yards out with 5:11 left in the first quarter. The drive ate up a mere 2:41 off the game clock and spanned 58 yards.

The Monsoons answered right back with a 11 play drive for 69 yards that was capped off by Logologo’s second touchdown of the night from a yard out. Extra point went wide an allowed Mayfair to take a 13-7.

No sooner than the Monsoons offense was off the field, the extremely quick West Covina offense marched straight down the field thanks to Chris Solomon’s (11 carries for 97 yards and touchdown) 51-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 14-13 lead.

Facing a fourth and five at the West Covina 36-yard line, Evan Hunko took three steps back and fired a bullet over the middle to Theo Chambers. Chambers not only got the first down, but scampered for a touchdown after a Bulldog defensive back missed the tackle.

With the score 28-19 in favor of the Bulldogs, Hunko tried one last gasp at getting into the end zone quickly but over threw his receiver and into the waiting arms of Bulldogs safety Anthony Molina for an interception that would stop any thoughts on a Monsoon comeback.

Bulldog defense stepped up in the second half. (Photo Anne Cypress)