MidValleySports.Com

La Puente quarterback Ivan Vasquez

By Big George Hernandez

(La Puente)- Warriors quarterback Ivan Vasquez hits Jose Ochoa for the game winning score as time expires in La Puente’s 21-20 win at McIntosh Field Friday night.

With 1.4 seconds on the clock, Vasquez went back to pass from the Falcons eight. Surveying the field he spotted in the front left corner, of the west end zone, Ochoa and released the ball before defensive pressure arrived.

“I just told everyone stay calm and to do their assignments and just believe and we’ll win this game,” said Vasquez.

Duarte quarterback Denzel Talifero led a Falcons opening drive and finished it off with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Grant Goldsmith for a 6-0 lead after La Puente blocked the extra point.

Warriors hit them right back in the mouth when back-up quarterback Bryan Landeros found Tizoc Monarrez in the corner of the end zone from 21-yards to make it 7-6.

Midway through the second quarter Goldsmith found the end zone again when he took a 63-yard pass from Talifero to paydirt to make it 14-6 after Dyran Adams took in the two point conversion.

La Puente still going punch for punch handed the ball off to Joey Centeno and he slipped by the Duarte defense for a 71-yard touchdown run tying it up at 14-14.

Falcons found the end zone again late in the third quarter when Marcus Lewis pounded through the La Puente defense for a 49-yard touchdown run giving Duarte a 20-14 lead after a failed two point conversion.

Both teams exchanged fumbles and three and outs until 1:57 left in the game when Vazquez got his groove back after going zero for his previous seven passes and went 5 for 5 for 62-yards on the final game’s drive. Following the tying score to Ochoa, it was Henry Rodriguez connecting on the extra point provide the winning margin.

Centeno the unsung hero had the four other receptions on the final march that to led up to the 8-yard pass that won the game. Centeno finished with 118-yards on the ground and 75-yards receiving.

La Puente’s Vazquez went 9 of 19 for 131-yards and the touchdown pass. Ruben Elias got 101 tough yards on the ground.

Joseph Sanchez led the Warriors defense with 2-sacks and numerous tackles in the backfield. Noel Martinez had an interception on defense.

Falcons quarterback Talifero had a solid night going 7 of 13 for 134-yards and 2-touchdowns and a pick. Goldsmith had 5-receptions for 122-yards and 2-scores. Marcus Lewis had eight carries for 74-yards and a touchdown.