MidValleySports.Com

Gladstone’s momentum got a huge spark from Eduardo Cortez’s 86-yard kick off return for a touchdown.

(Glendora) The Gladstone Gladiators took one step closer to a Montview League title with a resounding 38-14 win over the visiting Duarte Falcons Friday night at Citrus College.

As his team sung Happy Birthday, Gladstone head coach Albert Sanchez commented on his teams performance. “For my birthday, that’s all I wanted right there. I can’t be prouder of my guys. We came out rocking and rolling with these guys. We knew it was going to be tough and I’m ecstatic.”

Rock and roll they did as the Gladiators took the opening drive and went 69-yards on 14 plays capped by an 18-yard run by Aaron Sanchez. Eduardo Cortez added the extra point for an early 7-0 lead.

With 7:45 left in the first half, the Falcons went on a nine play 83 yard drive to draw to within in one point. Denzel Talifero hit Taliq Mason on a screen and Mason made his way into the endzone for a 14-yard score. Duarte attempted a two point conversion but failed.

Lightning struck on the ensuing kickoff in the form of Cortez. Cortez fielded the kick at his own 14, got a couple of blocks and outraced the Falcons to paydirt. Gladstone added a two point conversion on a Kevin Amezquita run.

Juan Aldana set the Gladiators up for their next score when he picked of a Talifero pass at the Duarte 46 and returned it to the Duarte 36. Six plays later Amezquita got his first score of the evening on a one yard run.

The Falcons managed to get back on the board as time was winding down in the third quarter. A miss handled exchange between Amezquita and Cortez wan pounced on by Duarte at the Gladstone 47. Five plays later Tailfero scored from three yards away. The two point conversion failed and the Falcons trailed by nine.

Gladstone cashed in on another interception of Talifero this time by George Ramirez. The Ramirez pick set the Gladiators up first and ten at the Gladstone 45. Amezquita called his own number again finishing off an eight play drive.

Controversy reared its ugly head just past the midway point of the final frame. A pass from Duarte’s Isaiah Scott to Marcus Lewis appeared to have been caught by Lewis at the Gladstone 33. Lewis was hit and appeared to have been tackled but no whistles were blown. Somehow the ball was taken from Lewis by Amezquita who raced 67-yards to the endzone much to the dismay of Falcon head coach Jason Martin. The officials conferred for a period of time and emerged from the conference and awarded the touchdown to Gladstone. Cortez added the extra point to give the Gladiators a 34-12 advantage.

Dyran Adams came on for an injured Talifero to guide the Falcons to on last score with 1:59 left to play. Adams found Mason for his second 14-yard score of the evening.

Gladstone covered the onside kick and the Gladiator offense came on to run out the clock and preserver the Victory.

Up next for Gladstone is Azusa whom they haven’t beaten since 2007. Duarte gets another test on the road as they face La Puente.