By Alex Gonzalez
(South El Monte) – South El Monte running back Leo Artiaga rushed for 149-yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in the Eagles 28-14 win over Maranatha Friday night at South El Monte.
With starting quarterback Andrew Elffers sidelined for the rest year with a ACL injury, Minutemen head coach Pete Karavedas started sophomore Eli Snyder. It was his first start at the varsity level.
For the first timer, Snyder showed inexperience in some parts of the game but also showed positive things for the future. In the first half, Snyder threw the ball twice completing one pass for 12 yards.
In the second half Snyder completed three more pass including a 68-yard touchdown pass to Niko Dobbs late in the fourth quarter.
Omar Younger had 85 yards on 15 carries to help support Snyder.
For the Eagles, they were also limited at the quarterback spot. Mario Burciaga filled in for Fernando Ramirez and used his feet and his arm to throw the Minutemen defense off.
Burciaga ended the night 12-22 passing for 85 yards with one TD and one interception in the air and 41 yards and a rushing score on the ground.
“This is his first time starting at quarterback and he stepped in and played pretty good,” said South head coach Ibis Aguilar.
But the main offense came on the ground. As a team, the Eagles rushed for 242-yards for three touchdowns.
Artiaga was the main back for the Eagles ending the game with 149-yards and two scores.
“We are a spread team and we want to throw the ball to set up the run and that’s what we did tonight,” said Aguilar
With the win, it evens the Eagles record out at 2-2. Next week they end their non-conference schedule playing San Marino at The Swamp.
For the Minutemen, the loss adds to their winless season going in to Olympic league play. They host Heritage Christian at Marantha.
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