By Alex Gonzalez
(San Gabriel)– Rosemead running back Matt Eddy ran for 144 yards and four scores as the Panthers defeated San Gabriel 31-21 Friday night, taking the Railroad Spike.
It was a tight game in the first half. Both teams were able to score in the first quarter. Rosemead scored first, thanks to Eddy’s one yard run.
The Matadors responded with an 11 play 58 yard touchdown drive capped by Joseph Mayorga’s one yard run.
The Panthers were able to take back the lead before the half ended with a 35 yard field goal by senior kicker Jose Esparza.
If it wasn’t for penalties, the Matadors could have gone into the locker room up at half but they hurt themselves. They shot themselves in the foot when senior quarterback Andy Guerrero completed a screen pass to senior wide receiver Alex Villalobos that went for a touchdown but, a block in the back penalty was called, taking the touchdown away and forcing the Matadors to punt.
In the second half more flags were thrown against both teams. It was worse for the Matadors as they were penalized on big plays.
“It’s hard to get out of the hole” said Matador head coach Jude Oliva. “That’s the way it goes.”
The Matadors made the Panthers go three and out on their first possession to start the second half and were able to jump on top on a passing touchdown from Guerrero to Villalobos making the game 14-10 San Gabriel.
The Mead running game came alive in the second half where Eddy did most of his damage pulling out runs for 29 and 33 yards to key drives. Eddy scored three times in the second stanza before the night ended.
As for the Matadors the passing game was their game plan. Guerrero ended 19 for 28 with 173 yards passing, two scores and an interception. He also ran the ball for 61 yards from 11 carries.
Guerrero’s main target was Villalobos, he caught 11 passes for 120 yards and raised his seasonal reception total to 50 in five games.
The Matadors had a chance late in the game to come back, but the Panthers running game was too much for the Matadors to handle. Eddy carried the ball downfield and punched it in from three yards out. But the key play in the drive was a pass from sophomore quarterback Adan Guillen to senior tight end Daniel Villalobos for 32 yards that led to Eddy’s fourth score of the night.
“We wanted to hammer it in,” Rosemead head coach Matt Koffler said.
Rosemead looks to keep running as they host Temple City next week. San Gabriel opens league play in two weeks as they host Montebello.
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