West Covina's Lonzell Barnett's punt block in the first quarter announced that the rout was on.
By Tony Solorzano
Whittier – West Covina captured the school’s second consecutive California Interscholastic Federation’s Southern Section Southeast Division championship as they demolished La Serna 84-21 Friday night at Whittier District Field.
The victory not only was the 12th straight for the Bulldogs (13-1) but the 63-point margin of victory over the Lancers (10-4) was their largest since a 53-0 shutout of Blair in 2008. The combined 105 points also broke the record for the highest combined total score, previously held by the 2007 CIF Eastern Division Championship between JW North and Palm Desert. Bulldogs head coach Mike Maggiore had nothing but kudos for his team’s performance.
“We came out hard and fast. I’m really proud of our players,” said West Covina Coach Mike Maggiore. “I thought this would be a tough game but we capitalized on every one of their mistakes. Our players were unselfish and worked very hard. It feels great to go back to back.”
From the opening kickoff, West Covina’s size and speed advantages over La Serna were evident from the get-go. West Covina forced a fumble deep inside La Serna territory that resulted in a 27-yard rushing touchdown by Chris Solomon, the first of his three in the first half, just 40 seconds into the game.
On the Lancers’ next possession, the Bulldogs’ Lonzell Barnett blocked Tavis Guerra’s punt attempt and recovered the ball on the Lancer 19, setting up the second touchdown, a 14-yard pass from quarterback Gabe Caballero to Aaron Salgado. Two minutes later, the Bulldogs scored again, this time converting an interception by Gus Vilchis into a 26-yard rushing score by Jimmy Frazier, the first of his three touchdowns. The Bulldogs would score once more in the quarter, as Solomon broke through the Lancers’ defensive line for a 47-yard rushing score.
“Jimmy and Chris just feed off each other. They make guys miss,” Maggiore said.
The Lancers finally broke the shutout on their last possession of the quarter as quarterback Frankie Palmer took control of the offense and drove 47 yards on 10 plays, closing out the drive on OJ Medina’s two-yard rushing score as time expired, making the score at the end of the quarter 28-7. However, the Bulldogs were just warming up.
At the start of the second quarter, Frazier took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 35-7, with only 15 seconds elapsed in the quarter. Three minutes later, Solomon would score again, from 17 yards out, converting another fumble recovery into points on the board.
After forcing a turnover on downs, it looked like the Bulldogs had a drive stalled deep in their own territory, facing a third and 16 after two consecutive penalties for holding and a false start, respectively. However, on the next play, Caballero tossed to Solomon who in turn, threw a perfect strike to Barnett who went 67 yards for the score. The Lancers would not get a score in as time expired in the half, sending them into the locker room down 49-7 at the half.
At the start of the third quarter, the Lancers took a cue from the New Orleans Saints and pulled off an onside kick, recovering the ball on the Bulldogs’ 25-yard line. Although the Lancers seemed to stall on the Bulldogs’ 17, the Bulldogs fell for their “double set” play, forcing the Bulldogs offsides and converting the fourth-and-two into a first-and-10 at the Bulldogs’ 12. Medina would put the ball on the one with an 11-yard rush, setting up utility back Craig Jones for the one-yard score.
The Lancers would attempt another onside kick, however, Maggiore moved Solomon to the front, and he came down with the ball at their own 47 yard line. On the first play, Salgado would score his second touchdown, this time a 53-yard rushing score.
One minute later, Frazier would score his third touchdown, this time a 44-yard rush up the middle, putting the Bulldogs up 63-14. On the ensuing kickoff, Medina took the ball and nearly broke away for a touchdown, but was knocked out of bound near mid-field.
Palmer quickly put the Lancers into the Bulldogs’ red zone on two passes to Vincent Lopez, for eight and 38 yards, respectively. After a one-yard rush by Medina, Palmer lofted a pass to the right corner of the end zone, connecting with Medina who pulled in the pass despite Barnett’s block attempt for the score with 7:10 left in the quarter. However, it would be the Lancers’ final score. Nearly four minutes later, the Bulldogs would score on another turnover, this time a 50-yard interception return by Bradley Ojala with 3:37 left in the game, putting the Bulldogs up, 70-21.
In the fourth, the running clock kicked in at the start, but the Bulldogs had two more scores left. After recovering a fumble, the Lancers switched quarterbacks, giving the ball to senior quarterback Shamar Ortiz, however, Ortiz’ first play from scrimmage resulted in an interception by Frazier, who returned the ball to the Lancer three-yard line. On the next play, quarterback Jonathan Nahera fumbled the ball on a handoff to Jimmy Escoto. However, Escoto managed to recover the fumble in the end zone, putting another score up with 8:56 left.
The Lancers got the ball back and managed to get close to mid-field but turned the ball over when Ryan Cordova fumbled the ball on the 48, which was recovered by the Bulldogs. On the ensuing possession, Nahera called his own number on a third and four and broke free for a 42-yard score, closing out the scoring with 2:44 left in the game, ending the Lancers’ Cinderella run and securing their second consecutive Southeast Championship.
Solomon carried the ball eight times for 100 yards and three scores, and threw for one touchdown. Salgado had five carries for 63 yards and a score on the ground, as well as a receiving score. Caballero threw only two passes, connection on one for 14 yards, the score to Salgado.
Medina finished his high school career with his worst output, carrying 14 times for only 17 yards and a rushing score, and caught three passes for 20 yards and a score. In three quarters of work, Palmer threw 13 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions and was sacked twice for a loss of 24 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
West Covina 28 21 21 14 84
La Serna 7 0 14 0 21
SCORES
1st Quarter
11:20 – WC – Chris Solomon 27 run, Rigo Castillo kick
7:39 – WC – Aaron Salgado 14 pass from Gabe Caballero, Castillo kick
5:17 – WC – Jimmy Frazier 26 run, Castillo kick
3:43 – WC – Solomon 47 run, Castillo kick
0:00 – LS – O.J. Medina 2 run, Tavis Guerra kick
2nd Quarter
11:45 – WC – Frazier 90 kick return, Castillo kick
9:47 – WC – Solomon 17 run, Castillo kick
6:11 – EC – Lonzel Barnett 67 pass from Solomon, Castillo kick
3rd Quarter
9:54 – LS – Craig James 1 run, Guerra kick
9:41 – WC – Salgado 53 run, Castillo kick
8:37 – WC – Frazier 44 run, Castillo kick
7:10 – LS – Medina 10 pass from Frankie Palmer, Guerra kick
3:37 – WC – Bradley Ojala 50 interception return, Castillo kick
4th Quarter
8:56 – WC – Jeremy Escoto fumble recovery, Castillo kick
2:44 – WC – Jonathan Nahera 42 run, Castillo kick
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