Ben Harwich's Fumble Recovery Sealed it for Titans
(San Marino) – Morgan Myers bolted into the end zone from two yards out with 1:10 remaining in the contest to give San Marino a 14-13 win over San Gabriel Friday night. The touchdown capped a seven play, 53 yard drive and spoiled the Matadors first game on their brand new Stadium turf.
The Mats went up 13-7 on a 27 yard pass play from Isaac Valdez to Robert Ramirez with 4:45 left in the third. The extra point attempt failed when the snap was bad and it proved to be the difference in the game.
San Gabriel was looking to add to the lead early in the fourth when linebacker Trent Converse stepped in front of a Valdez pass at the Matador 28 to halt the drive.
The Titans failed to convert on that possession but got the ball back with 3:10 left in the game on their own 47. Joe Forgatch connected with Tim Lo down to the 25. Then Stevie Yortsos hauled in a 23 yard pass before falling out of bounds at the Matador two. From there Myers punched it in to seal it. San Gabriel got the ball back but Valdez was hit and coughed it up at the San Marino 46 and Ben Harwich fell on it. The Titans then ran out the clock.
“Our kids really stepped it up. They put together a great drive and we got some big plays from a couple of kids,” said San Marino Coach D.R. Moreland. “They showed they really wanted to win that ballgame. I’m really proud of the way these guys stepped up and played.”
San Marino scored first on a 14 yard pass from Forgatch to Myers early in the second quarter. The TD pass finished a seven play 57 yard drive and the Titans took a 7-0 lead into the break.
San Gabriel got on track in the third. First Valdez engineered a 68 yard drive to get the Mats on the board. A pass interference penalty helped keep the march alive and on the ninth play Arthur Brown caught a 33 yard scoring pass from Valdez.
Ramirez’ catch put the Mats up by six before the Titans rallied late. Valdez completed 12 of 28 for 174 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
For San Marino Forgatch threw for 125 yards and a score and also one interception. Kwame Do had five catches out of the backfield for 37 yards. Yortsos had five receptions for 55 yards and two carries for 34 yards including one in which he turned a botched punt attempt into a 23 yard gain and a first down.
San Gabriel dropped to 2-3 with the loss and will travel to Keppel next week to begin Almont League play. San Marino remains undefeated at 5-0 and will host Monrovia, (5-0), next week to kick off Rio Hondo League action.
“I feel good going into league. I think everyone on this team should feel good going into league,” Moreland added.
SM 0 7 0 7 14
SG 0 0 13 0 13
Summary:
2nd Qtr:
SM 10:20 Myers 14 yd pass from Forgatch (Yortsos Kick)
3rd Qtr:
SG Brown 33 yd pass from Valdez (Gilmar Tenes Kick)
SG 4:45 Ramirez 27 yd pass from Valdez (PAT Failed, Bad Snap)
4th Qtr:
SM 1:10 Myers 2 yd run (Yortsos Kick)
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