By: Josh Ouellette
(Citrus College) The Sierra Vista Dons gave Azusa a spanking at home Friday night thanks to 263 yards and three scores from running back Lee Jones and a strong performance from their defense.
The Aztecs ‘ offense was unable to get anything going all night, but after crossing midfield early in the first their best drive of the quarter was stalled thanks to a huge fourth down sack by SV’s Sergio Gonzales on Azusa quarterback Carlos Montiel. After that play the Dons didn’t look back.
On the ensuing drive Jones took the ball four times out of five plays, capping it off with a 25-yard juke and scamper into the endzone with 3:49 left to play in the first.
Things went from bad to worse for Montiel and his Aztecs on their next drive as his pass was intercepted by Michael Mora and returned back across midfield down to the 27 yardline of Azusa. The defense did hold there, but Gonzales came on to kick a 34-yard field goal straight through the uprights to give the Dons a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Following an Aztec three and out Sierra Vista took the field on their own 47 yardline following a nice return by Christian Bazan. A 28-yard run by Jones to set up the Dons quarterback Jonathan Mora to find Ramon Ruiz on the play action pass for the 17-yard score through the air. Gonzales’ point after attempt struck the left upright and fell back into play to make the score 16-0, a lead SV carried into the break.
Coming out of the locker rooms Azusa Head Coach Joe Scherf surprised everyone by going for an onside kick and the Aztecs recovered. Montiel started to get his offense going by completing a big third down and long pass to Jesus Arteaga. But the Dons again quenched any threat when Montiel’s pass over the middle was completed to Ricky Salas only for Michael Mora to come up and lay a hit on the ball causing the fumble which was recovered by Johnny on the spot for the night Sergio Gonzales.
Sierra Vista came out on its first drive of the second half and capitalized quickly. Led by a steady dose of Lee Jones the Dons marched down field for the score, coming on a 34-yard one-way dart to paydirt for the running back.
Another SV defensive stop led to another punt, and another great return by Bazan. This time it only took three plays for Sierra Vista score, thanks to a 46-yard spring and sprint by you guessed it folks, Jones. The Dons now led 30-0 and were cruising mid-way through the third quarter.
Azusa finally found some rhythm late in the third and early in the fourth quarter. Angel Maldonando was able to find some running room and helped lead the Aztecs downfield. But it was Montiel finding Josh Dillon alone in the endzone on a pass play from a yard out that capped off the 65-yard drive for the denial of a shutout.
Gonzalez was able to muscle his way in from six yards out late in the fourth to give the game its final score.
After the game Sierra Vista Head Coach Don LeGro praised running back Jones, “Our game plan is always the same, give the ball to our tailback and see what happens. Tonight he did a great job, he had a big night and towards the end of the game he was able to break a couple long ones. He had a good game.”
Sierra Vista will await the draw on Sunday to see whom they’ll face next week in the first round of the CIF playoffs.
For Azusa, its better luck next season.
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