By Matthew Schuler
(Covina)- Two three play drives gave Bell Gardens a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter and the Lancers never looked back, defeating Azusa 34-6 at Citrus College Friday night.
BG running back Steve Ibarra provided a work horse on the ground for the Lancers and opened up a 6-0 lead with 2:07 in the first quarter after two consecutive 20 yard bursts capped off by a five yard touchdown squeeze through the middle.
Ibarra finished with over 150 yards on the ground and a TD, including a 69 yard scamper that would have been a touchdown if it weren’t for a shoe string tackle by the Azusa defenders.
Azusa seemed in troubled from the start. The Aztecs coughed up a fumble on their first play of the game and were bit by the injury bug when JC Rosales was tackled awkwardly and needed to be carried off the field on a stretcher after breaking his leg.
The lone highlight from Azusa was a 60-yard kick off return by Desmond Reed which gave Azusa great field position to try and score before the half, but the Aztecs could not capitalize.
Bell Gardens rode a solid ground attack, but stayed balanced and was hitting on all cylinders.
Lancer Quarter back Josh Adame connected with his wide out Chris Gutierrez for two touchdown strikes.
Adame found Gutierrez running open down the seam and zipped it to his receiver who took it the distance 90 yards with 5:47 in the second quarter for a 21-0 advantage.
Adame then connected with his outlet once more before the half on a 5 yard slant rout, giving Bell Gardens a 28-0 going in to the half.
Gardens sealed the deal after Jacob Martinez was hit hard and fumbled the ball. Gonzalo Viera gathered the fumble for the scoop and score from 10 yards out pushing the lead to 34-0 after a missed P.A.T.
Azusa mustered up one last drive and scored with three seconds remaining in the game when Martinez hit Abraham Ochoa on a short end zone strike.
Lancers open up the season 1-0. Azusa drops even to 1-1.
Leave a Reply