MidValleySports.Com

Maranatha gunslinger Eli Snyder. (Photo courtesy of Doug Brown)

By Joe Torosian

(Pasadena)- The Maranatha Minutemen built a 17-0 lead but had to hold off a second half push to defeat the Mountain View Vikings 23-20 on Friday night at Maranatha High School.

“We knew something that a lot people didn’t know,” said Minutemen HC Jude Oliva. “That’s a heck of a ball club. They run that shotgun double wing so well and we knew we had to capitalize on some things early if not they were going to chew up the clock like they did in that second half.”

Maranatha went 75 yards on its first possession on 12-plays taking nearly six minutes off the clock. Twice converting on third down, and once on fourth down before wide receiver Xavius Boone converted a sweep into an 11-yard touchdown run.

The Minutemen’s second drive took another six minutes off the clock and was capped with 22-yard field goal by Grant Schober. Their third drive ended when Eli Snyder went 27-yards to Darron McWhorter.

Down three scores the Vikings responded with a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Cris Cervantes just before the first half ended.

In the third Maranatha opened with another drive that took time, yardage (63), and 12-plays as Baile McDavid scored on a 7-yard run.

Down 23-6 the Mt. View offense responded on its next possession. Cervantes moved his team down field, keyed by a 24-yard completion to Max Gonzalez. Five plays later Jose Moreno crashed in from a yard out. Cervantes added the deuce and it was 23-14.

The Vikings defense forced a three and out and put the ball back in Cervantes hands with less than a minute to play in the third. After moving the ball into Maranatha territory, Cervantes was stripped of the ball and the Minutemen recovered.

Another three and out put the Vikings back in business at their 35 with 8:57 to play. Covering the 65 yards in six minutes, Cervantes passed the ball three times, put it in the hands of Moreno twice, and carried it seven times before Moreno again scored from a yard out. The point after was blocked but the score was now 23-20.

With everyone expecting the onside kick Mt. View used the standard rush to the ball and stop at on the kick-off, but as they turned away from the ball to reform they suddenly reversed themselves and kicked the ball. Josh Martinez recovered the ball on a fortuitous bounce just passed the 50-yard line.

Three plays later, the Minutemen defense again stripped the ball, and again recovered it to secure the victory.

***“We made some adjustments in the second half. They came out in the first and did good job of game planning against us. They saw what we did defensively and flat out just beat us in the first half. In the second half we came out with a little more fire… unfortunately we had some turnovers, you can’t win ball games at end when you are putting the ball on the ground.”—Mt. View HC Victor Ambruso

***This was the first ever meeting between these two schools.

***Maranatha quarterback Eli Snyder completed 19 of 30 passes for 214 yards, a touchdown, and a pick.

***Mt. View quarterback Cris Cervantes carried the ball 17 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also completed four of five passes for 53 yards.

***This is the fourth consecutive season the Vikings have finished their non-league schedule with a winning record.

***Minutemen receivers: Xavius Boone 7-catches 71 yards. Darron McWhorter 8/81 yards..

***Mt. View running back Jose Moreno rushed for 50 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

***Mt. View started on the offensive line: LT: Brandon Lopez. LG: Eddie Nava. C: Yoary Martinez. RG: Michael Moreno. RT: Hugo Montanez.

***Maranatha started on the offensive line: LT: Tanner Richter. LG: Ben Hynes. C: Chris Ajalat. RG: Marcus Moses. RT: Jacob Olson.

***The Minutemen (4-2) host Village Christian (2-4) next week.

***The Vikings (3-2) go to Rosemead (4-1) next Friday.