Marquis Bias leads Monrovia to second straight title
(Monrovia) – Monrovia rode the wave of a 39-0 run in the second half and the legs of Marquis Bias to a 53-14 rout of San Gabriel Saturday night to win the CIF Mid-Valley Division Title for the second straight year before a packed house at Monrovia High.
The Monrovia offense revolved around Bias the entire night as the senior rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries.
Bias capped an 84 yard drive with a six yard run early in the third quarter to break a 14-14 tie. Less than five minutes later he shoved in the dagger with a one yard plunge that put Monrovia up 36-14.
“I’m so proud of that kid,” said Monrovia assistant Mike Minter of Bias. “With his attitude and everything, he’s just come so far over the last couple of years. He’s just a great kid.”
San Gabriel played Monrovia even through the first 24 minutes. Alex Villalobos caught a pair of touchdown passes from Andy Guerrero; the second one came with just 1:06 left in the first half, a 15 yard strike that got the Mats even at 14.
After a scoreless first quarter, Monrovia put together a 99 yard drive that Bias finished with a 12 yard run early in the second.
San Gabriel responded with an 80 yard drive of its own as Guerrero led his team down the field highlighted by a 27 yard pass to Villalobos. Villalobos scored on a 22 yard catch and carry and then after two off sides penalties against Monrovia, Guerrero ran in for a two point conversion and a one point lead.
Monrovia came right back with the go ahead score. Blake Heyworth fired a 20 yard bullet over the middle to De’Shawn Ramirez who rolled into the end zone to put the Cats back on top.
Villalobos then tied it as the teams went into the break dead even. The Matadors had stared down Goliath, answered every challenge, and had not made a mistake. However Things turned quickly in the third quarter.
Monrovia took the second half kick off and behind Ramirez in the “Wildcat” needed seven plays to go 84 yards. Ramirez raced for 25 yards on the first play and Bias went the last six for a 21-14 M-Town lead.
On the following series, disaster struck SG. A bad snap eluded Guerrero and Ellis McCarthy fell on the ball at the Matador eight yard line. Three plays later, Heyworth snuck one yard into the end zone. A miss handled snap led to a Mason Bryant pass to Cade Schultz for a two point conversion and it was 29-14.
The San Gabriel offense stalled again and a bad punt left Monrovia at the SG 35. The Wildcats immediately took advantage. Heyworth found Brett Walsh for 23 yards and Bias later scored from a yard out. By the time the third quarter ended it was 36-14.
“Unfortunately some mistakes cost us in the third quarter. Yes we made some costly errors but I’m proud of our guys. We kept playing and I thought we proved our character tonight,” said San Gabriel Coach Jude Oliva.
Ramirez did his thing in the fourth quarter. He scored from eight yards out and then put on a highlight reel run late in the game going down the left sideline 66 yards for a touchdown, stiff arming potential tacklers and leaving others in his wake to cap the scoring. Bryant also booted a 35 yard field goal and Luke Williams picked off a pass.
“We just made the adjustments at halftime. We said look it’s zero-zero ball game so let’s go,” said Monrovia Coach Ryan Maddox. “We got 24 minutes to win a CIF Championship. It feels great to go to back t back. There are really no words for it,”
Ramirez finished with 10 carries for 133 yards and two scores to go with the touchdown catch.
Heyworth threw for 108 yards and a touchdown along with his TD run.
For the Matadors, Villalobos battled to the end catching 12 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Guerrero threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 61 yards.
Monrovia finished 11-3 overall while winning its second title. San Gabriel went 9-5 on the year and appeared in its second CIF Finals game in the last eight years.
After a career night Bias summed it up best.
“It’s a storybook ending,” he said with a winning smile.
SG 0 14 0 0 14
M 0 14 22 17 53
Summary:
2nd Qtr:
M 9:51 Bias 12 yd run (Bryant Kick)
SG 6:40 Villalobos 22 yd pass from Guerrero (Guerrero run – 2 pt)
M 4:10 Ramirez 20 yd pass from Heyworth (Bryant Kick)
SG 1:06 Villalobos 15 yd pass from Guerrero (2 pt attempt failed)
3rd Qtr:
M 8:33 Bias 6 yd run (Bryant Kick)
M 6:41 Heyworth 1 yd run (Schultz pass from Bryant – 2 pt)
M 3:58 Bias 1 yd run (Bryant Kick)
4th Qtr:
M 9:13 Bryant 35 yd FG
M 7:16 Ramirez 8 yd run (Bryant Kick)
M 3:16 Ramirez 66 yd run (Bryant Kick)
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