MidValleySports.Com

The Condors looking to blow opponents off the line of scrimmage!

By Saile Ramirez

(Montebello)- California’s stable of backs proved too much as they finished with 288-yards on the ground and a 40-26 victory over the hosting Montebello Oilers.

“We run the ball, its what we do,” stated Cal HC Jim Arnold about his offense’s identity.

Both teams began the game with stalled drives.

On Montebello’s second possession, quarterback Matthew Saenz was intercepted by safety Bryan Limon. The turnover set up the Condors at midfield and eight plays later running back Aaron Garcia, scored from 14-yards out.  Cal lead 7-0.

Saenz and the Oilers were unable to get anything started as they stalled two more times with Saenz completing 3 of 8 his passes in those two possessions.

The Condors ground game added another score when Josh Perez capped 6-play drive with a hard nosed run from ten yards out and the lead was extended to 14-0. An Oiler high snap added two points in the form of a safety to the Cal lead.

“If you stop our run game, we’ll pass the ball” coach Arnold said of his game plan. Mid way through the second the Condor’s Manny Espinoza proved the run game was far from being stopped. He dived in one yard for another Cal score and 23-0 lead.

Montebello rallied late in the quarter and saw its running back Marcus Portiilo blast a three yard rushing touchdown. Going into the half the Oilers trailed 26-7, after a late Condor field goal.

Cal all but sealed the game with an explosive third quarter that showcased more of its dominate ground game. Espinoza scored on two impressive runs, one of 53-yards and the other of 28.

After a less than stellar performance, Saenz ended the night with 217 yards and two scoring tosses to Edgar Gonzalez and Charlie Zuniga. He also scored on a quarterback sneak.