MidValleySports.Com

By Tony Solorzano

Bellflower – Two passing touchdowns by quarterback Gerry Myres helped La Mirada remain undefeated in Suburban League play as they knocked off Bellflower 31-7 Friday night at Bellflower’s Ron Yary Stadium.

Since the second half of last week’s league opener against Norwalk, the Matadores (5-1, 2-0) have seen their defense come into its own, holding their opponents to a total of 10 points in six quarters of play. Head Coach Mike Moschetti was more than happy to praise the defense’s efforts.

“It started in the second half against Norwalk last week, we’ve done an outstanding job on defense,” said Moschetti after the game. “When they can take a team like Bellflower and make them one-dimensional is great for us.”

The Matadores scored on their first three possessions of the game, while keeping the Buccaneers unable to make any real headway into Matadores territory. Myres hit Dallis Shipp with a 28-yard scoring pass to close out a 72-yard drive that put the Matadores up 7-0.

After forcing the Buccaneers to punt from their own 17-yard line, Myres again drove the Matadores for another score, this time a 22-yard strike to Tyler Luatua on the first play of the second quarter, increasing the lead to 14-0. After another punting situation, the Matadores would score again, capping a 66-yard drive that ended with a four-yard rushing score by Adam Carrasco. Carrasco would gain 162 yards to increase his totals to over 800 yards in the three games he’s taken the majority of carries.

In the third quarter, kicker Austin Watkins increased the lead with a 42-yard fieldgoal midway through the period. However, the Buccaneers finally got on the board on the ensuing possession. quarterback Swain Willians connected on a 43-yard pass to Byron Stewart with 2:32 left in the quarter. Then the Bucs got a gift. On the kickoff, the ball went low, bounced off one of the La Mirada special teams members and rolled back to Bellflower’s possession. But despite getting inside the Matadore 40, Williams was picked off by Jeovanni Gutrierrez.

Gutierrez’ interception set up the Matadores’ final score. Carrasco and E.J. Meza carried the ball the majority of the 67 yard in the drive, culminating in a one-yard run by Myres with 7:22 left in the game. The frustrations in the Buccaneers defense boiled over as both teams ended up with offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after Myres scored. The Bucs got the ball back late in the game but time ran out while they were driving in Matadores territory.

Myres threw five of seven passes for 122 yards and threw two touchdowns, while Luatua led the receptions with three catches for 88 yards and the 22-yard score. Shipp only caught two passes for 34 yards, but one was the 28-yard strike that started the scoring.

Hunley was held to his lowest output of the season, only gaining 54 yards on 18 carries. Williams hit seven of 15 passes for 83 yards, and the touchdown to Stewart. Stewart only caught three passes for 47 yards.

The Matadores remain on the road as they head to Artesia while the Buccaneers head out to Glenn to face the Eagles.