Christian Blanco scores 4 times to lead the Wildcats to the Finals
By Josh Ouellette
(San Dimas) – Monrovia rode the legs of Christian Blanco to overcome San Dimas 47-14 Saturday night in the CIF Mid-Valley Division Semi Finals.
The teams exchanged touchdowns in the first half. Monrovia scored on a nine yard pass from Nick Bueno to Jay Henderson. San Dimas responded on an 18 yard scamper by Codee Watts. But the Saints failed to convert an Al Del Greco type of two point attempt leaving the score 7-6 Wildcats.
Monrovia went up before the half with Blanco pounding his way into the end zone from seven yards out bringing a host of San Dimas defenders with him. M-Town took a 14-6 lead into the half.
On the Wildcats first drive in the second half they started off with great field position after recovering a fumble at its own 20 yard line. A fourth down pass interference call kept the drive alive for the Wildcats and two plays later Blanco muscled his way for the score again, this time on a six yard blast.
San Dimas didn’t take long to answer. A long kick off return by Kevin Kolbeck and a Monrovia penalty set up the Saints at the Monrovia 22. From there Watts struck again by weaving his way through the Wildcat defense for a 22 yard touchdown. A successful two point attempt cut the lead to 21-14.
After forcing the turnover on downs Monrovia took over. On the series following the Saints’ loss of possession, Bueno capped off a 42 yard drive with a nine yard touchdown run.
Monrovia recovered an onside kick on its own after the score and started at the san Dimas 45 yard line. On the first play Bueno hit Anthony Craft over the middle down to the one yard line. Bueno punched it in on the next play and just like that it was 34-14.
The Wildcats scored two more times on their next two trips to turn it into a rout. Blanco hit pay dirt both times by rumbling in for touchdowns of three and five yards. The two scores capped off a career night for Blanco who had 21 carries for 151 yards and four touchdowns.
Bueno as usual was as dangerous throwing the ball as he was running. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 69 yards and a score on 13 carries. Henderson caught seven passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Luke Williams hauled in three receptions for 27 yards and Anthony Craft caught one for 44.
The Monrovia defense intercepted both Watts and Sean Kennedy late in the game to seal the school’s tenth trip to the CIF Finals. San Dimas was at times its own worst enemy, turning the ball over six times.
Monrovia will seek its first title next Saturday at home next Saturday night against Whittier Christian.
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