Lions linebacker Joe Sanchez
By Rich Whittington
(Whittier)- Whittier Christian’s Daniel Chacon bounced back from a tough Week Ten performance to lead the Heralds to a 40-16 victory over El Monte on Friday night at Whittier College.
Chacon (21-32-238-3Td-1Int), picked four times by Village Christian a week ago, was picked up by his teammates contributions against the Lions. Chacon opened the game with scoring pass to Grant Escobar and fired two more to, the often unguardable, Cody Bronkar (11-122) to finish with three for the game.
Ryan Morales went for plus 100 yards on the ground and scored twice, Joel Rhone got into the act with a scoring run midway through the first.
On the flipside El Monte, making its first playoff appearance since 2008, was without high octane quarterback Brandon Martinez who was injured late last week against Arroyo. Veteran back up Manuel Santa Cruz, a two-year starter, stepped in and kept the game close for a while. Firing scoring passes to Memo Silva and Abel Barrajas.
In the third Bryan Luevano added field goal with 7:22 to play making it 26-16, but the Lions would get no closer.
Santa Cruz harrased and pressured by the Heralds defense was forced into seven interceptions attempting to lead his team back.
The loss ends the EM season at 7-4 overall as they finished second in the Mission Valley League.
For Whittier Christian the win earns them a third consecutive post-season date with Monrovia at home next week. The Heralds are now 7-4 on the season.
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