MidValleySports.Com

By Alex Gonzalez

(Rosemead) – Rosemead’s Stephen Cansino kicked four of five field goals including a 43-yarder late in the fourth to seal the game as Rosemead held off South El Monte 21-16 Friday night at Marinelli Stadium.

Offensively for the Panthers they were able to move the ball up and down the field with a mixture of pass and run plays. But once they entered the redzone, South El Monte stuffed the run and covered the pass.

“We really emphasized our special teams this week,” said Rosemead HC Marc Paramo. “Our kicker (Cansino) did an amazing job on the field goals.”

Cansino missed his first attempt on the Panthers first drive but since that missed he was spot on for the remainder of the game. Cansino landed kicks from 40,26,35 and 42-yards out.
The overall special teams effort for the Panthers made it difficult for the Eagles to have good field position. If it was either punting or kicking off, the Panthers did not give the Eagles a chance to return.

“They have some dangerous guys back there and we didn’t want to give them any oppertunity to return the ball,” said Paramo. “The kids responded and they executed.”

The running attack for Rosemead controlled the majority of the game. Both Everardo Camacho and Alec Zavala combined for 146-yards on 33 carries.
The only score for the Panthers came in the first half when Camacho scrambled for a seven yard score.

At the end of the first half, Rosemead was on top 13-0.

It was a tale of two halves for the Eagles. In the first half, the Eagles couldn’t get going.
The Panther defense stopped the run and didn’t allow anything down the field. La Habra transfer Levi Wells, who played in his first game, struggled passing the ball in the first half. He was picked off and sacked.

But in the second half started, he turned around and led the Eagles to touchdown drives.

His first came after Rosemead fumbled their kick off. He connected with Javier Machuca from 35-yards out early in the third quarter to make it 13-10.

After a Panther field goal, the Eagles answered back with a seven play drive that ended with Wells connecting with Jordan Vargas from 13-yards out, tying the ball game at 16.

On the ensuing drive, Rosemead did what they were doing all game, run the ball. Zavala carried the load dragging Eagle defenders. The final drive for the Panthers ate more than five minutes off the clock in the fourth making a comeback impossible. The drive ended when Cansino kicked a 43-yard FG.

South El Monte Had a chance to come back and score, But penalties drove the Eagles back to their own two yard line.

But Paramo’s defense stepped up and sacked Wells for a safety ending the chances for a comback.

“Too many mistakes and lack of focus,” said Eagle head coach Ibis Aguilar “We had way too many penalties in the first and scond half. It was lack of focus and not doing their job. Bottom line.”

With the win, the Panthers open league play on a good note. Next week the Panthers host El Monte on their homecoming game.

For the Eagles, the loss puts them at 0-1 but they look to turn it around when they host Gabrielino next week.

“This was a make or break week for us,” said Paramo “I let the guys know that I’m not going to let off and we have to keep fighting.”