By Tony Solorzano
(Santa Fe Springs) – Three touchdowns by Joey Davis helped Santa Fe claim sole possession of first place in the Del Rio League in a 23-8 victory over La Serna Friday night at Titan Stadium.
Davis had 162 total yards of offense for the Chiefs (4-4, 3-0) as they avenged last year’s 38-0 shut loss to the Lancers (6-2, 2-1), now in sole possession of second place in league.
The game opened and closed on the same play, an interception by the Chiefs’ Christian Mahlstede on Lancers sophomore quarterback Frankie Palmer. Mahlstede’s first takeaway resulted in Davis’ first score, a 14-yard toss from Justin Retiz for the early 7-0 lead with under a minute gone in the opening quarter.
The Lancers would finally find the end zone late in the second as a punt return by Mathew Rosales resulted in the Lancers starting their drive on the Chiefs’ 22-yard line. Medina’s score was set up by Palmer’s 14-yard keeper to the Chiefs’ two-yard line, which Medina would complete two plays later. However, Tavis Guerra’s point-after attempt was blocked.
On the ensuing possession, Davis exploded for a 64-yard run from his own 25, putting the Chiefs deep in the Lancer red zone. After Aaron Zaragosa move the ball just outside the Lancer 6-yard line, Davis ran twice to reach the end zone again, this time from two yards with 47 seconds left in the half. Like Guerra’s point after, Mendez’ point after attempt, pushed back 10 yards by a holding call on the Chiefs, was also blocked.
Davis would score once more, this time in the third. After getting great field position on the kick off for the third quarter, Davis carried the ball for 47 of the 50 yards needed to score, culminating in san 11-yard run with 10:24 left in the third.
The Chiefs would make only one mistake in the game. With just under three minutes left in the third, the Chiefs found themselves pinned on their own 17-yard line on fourth down. On the snap, the ball sailed over Mendez into the end zone for a safety.
Mendez would redeem his error in the fourth quarter as he connected on a 32-yard field goal with 7:50 left, locking up the score. Las Serna had one final opportunity to try to score and close the gap, but with 1:03 left, Palmer’s pass attempt to Austin Johnson went high and Mahlstede picked it off, ending the game.
The Chiefs will host Whittier next Friday night at Titan Stadium while the Lancers host Pioneer at Whittier District Field.
SCORING SUMMARY
La Serna 0 6 2 0 8
Santa Fe 7 6 7 3 23
SCORES
1st Quarter
11:17 – SF – Joey Davis 14 pass from Justin Retiz, Eddie Mendez kick
2nd Quarter
2:29 – LS – O.J. Medina 1 run, kick blocked
47.0 – SF – Davis 2 run, kick blocked
3rd Quarter
10:24 – SF – Davis 11 run, Mendez kick
2:56 – LS – Safety (Ball Snapped out of End Zone)
4th Quarter
7:50 – SF – Mendez 32 Field Goal
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