M-Town's DeShawn Ramirez returned to the field for the first time since 2009.
(Monrovia) – Monrovia ran off 29 straight points after falling behind in the first half and went on to beat Glendora 29-16 Thursday night in its season opener. The Tartans, who lost last week to Charter Oak, dropped to 0-2.
De’ Shawn Ramirez highlighted the scoring run when he fielded a punt at his own 15 yard line and broke it 85 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. The return gave Monrovia a 22-9 lead. Ramirez also scored on a three yard burst earlier in the quarter. That score was set up by a 52 yard pass from George Frazier to Brandon Wingenbach.
Marquis Bias put Glendora away for good with 9:44 left in the fourth when he raced through a gap on the left side for a 46 yard touchdown for a 20 point Wildcat lead.
Glendora rounded out the scoring with a late touchdown run but Monrovia settled for the 13 point victory.
“In game one getting out with the victory, that’s all you want and we’re healthy,” said Monrovia Coach Ryan Maddox. “So those are the positives. But we got a lot to work on.
Maddox was referring to the first half when the Wildcats struggled until late in the second quarter.
A 32 yard Monrovia field goal attempt was blocked on the first possession and the Cats were forced to punt on their next series. The punt was shanked and Glendora started at the Monrovia 35. Six plays later Skyler Crall scored on a six yard run for a 6-0 Tartan lead.
On Monrovia’s next possession, Ramirez rolled out on fourth down and 22 from the eight yard line but instead of punting it he pulled it down and ran. But he was stopped cold and the Tartans were in business again at the Monrovia nine.
However a penalty and two stops forced Glendora into a Christian Fulham 23 yard field goal. The Tartans were up 9-0 but Monrovia was fortunate to be down only nine.
“That was a big there to hold them to a field goal. Our defense played great,” Maddox said.
The Wildcats finally broke through late in the second quarter. Frazier found Anthony Craft on a 34 yard pitch and catch down to the Glendora 24. Frazier connected with Craft to finish the drive with a 12 yard touchdown pass with just 27 seconds left in the first half.
It was the momentum M-Town needed heading into the second half.
Bias had 12 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown to lead the Wildcats running attack. Wingenbach caught three for 82 yards and Craft hauled in for 61 yards and a score. Donovan Holmes had eight receptions for 50 yards for Glendora from quarterback Kyle Kianpour.
UCLA Head Coach Rick Neuheisel, with son Jerry, and USC Coach/top recruiter Ed Orgeron were on hand to take in the action. Both were there to see Monrovia defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy up close and personal. There were also recruiters from San Jose State on the sidelines.
Next week Monrovia travels to Arcadia to face the Apaches.
G 0 9 0 7 16
M 0 7 15 7 29
2nd Qtr:
G- Crall 5 yd run (Kick Failed)
G- Fulham 23 yd FG
3rd Qtr:
M- Ramirez 3 yd run (Mason Bryant pass from DeShawn Potts- 2 pt)
M- Ramirez 85 yd punt ret. (Bryant Kick)
4th Qtr:
M- Bias 46 yd run (Bryant Kick)
G- Johnson 14 yd run (Fulham Kick)
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