Brandon Jauregui celebrates first playoff win since 2005 and first at home since 2004.
(El Monte)- “Any time you win in the first round its a good thing,” said relieved Arroyo HC Jim Singiser.
The Knights returned to the land of the post-season living with a 42-17 victory over Sierra Vista Friday night at B.L. Bergstrom Stadium.
The win improved Arroyo to 10-1 and set up a quarterfinals match at home with San Gabriel.
Knights quarterback Steven Rivera, in what is becoming terrifying for opposing defensive coordinators, is making the five touchdown performance ho-hum. Against the Dons he went 22 of 26 passing for 311 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a score, 13-yards, and stripped and scored on a 41-yard fumble recovery. This gave him his third straight five-touchdown performance and sixth overall on the season.
After a fumbled ball cost Arroyo its first drive inside the Sierra Vista 20 (A turnover that resulted in Giovanni Rivera’s 7-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 Dons lead), Rivera led his team back with two touchdown passing on its next drives. First 9-yards to Melvin Palacios, then 27-yards to Hunter Duran.
While the Sierra Vista defense couldn’t stop Arroyo, the Arroyo defense couldn’t get SV off the field.
After their first score the Dons were able to tack on a 28 yard field goal by Sergio Gonzales before half time to make it 14-10. This drive was aided by a second roughing the punter penatly and several missed tackles.
“I think my guys were just geeked up,” said Singiser. “They were geeked up because it was the playoffs and settled down in the second half.”
The second half began with Steven Rivera stripping SV’s Giovanni Rivera and returning it 41-yards for a touchdown.
“He’s the best I’ve seen,” said Singiser of Rivera and his ability to make plays. “I can say that now.”
Andre Kerkhoff then padded Arroyo’s advantage when he intercepted Dons quarterback Jonathan Mora on the first play of SV’s next possession. Kerkhoff returned it 27-yard to make it 28-10.
A good kick-off return by Rayshawn McCarthy set up Sierra Vista’s next possession. And it was McCarthy who fumbled the ball after a reception at the Arroyo eight that was picked up by the Dons David Gonzales and carried into the end zone.
Steven Rivera got the score back on a 13-yard run, and then closed the scoring with a 58-yard strike to Anthony Leon on a crossing route that the receiver took upfield.
Peter Aholoka added 16 carries for 71 yards.
Knights host San Gabriel next week in the quarterfinals.
Sierra Vista finished the season 6-5.
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