Azusa playmaker Angel Maldonado. (Photo by Alex Gonzalez)
By Alex Gonzalez
(Temple City)— With a 1:19 left in regulation, Azusa running back Angel Maldonado scored the game winning touchdown from 34-yards out to give Azusa a 34-28 Friday night at Temple City’s Arthur North Field.
Azusa scored first when Joseph Ramirez connected with Dominic Ramirez for 11-yards late in the first quarter. However, going into intermission, Azusa trailed 14-7 after Ram’s running back Jimmy Morinaga scored with 35 seconds left in the second quarter.
Following a fumbled punt by Rams return man Brad Chi, Azusa tied the game at 14 when Ramirez threw his second touchdown pass, capping off an nine 72-yard drive with 6:02 in the third quarter.
Temple City QB Rico Salcido delivers the ball against an Aztec pass rusher. (Photo by Andrew Bettridge)
Both teams traded scoring drives the second until they were tied at 28 with 3:34 left in the fourth.
The Rams ran four consecutive running plays netting only seven yards. Tailback Nic Starling was stuffed at his own 48 after gaining one yard on fourth and three.
Four plays later, Maldonado scored the game’s final touchdown with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter from 34-yards.
***Following the fourth and three play for the Rams, tailback Nic Starling was carted of the field and taken to the hospital after suffering a neck injury. No word on his status.
***Azusa quarterback Joseph Ramirez 13-24 passing 206-passing yards three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
***Azusa tailback Angel Maldonado 22 carries 166-yards one touchdown
***Azusa wideout Dominic Ramirez seven catches for 128-yards two touchdown catches
***Azusa Starting O-line: RT: 65 Roger Carrillo, RG: 57 Angel Ojeda, C: 75 Oscar Aguirre, LG: 72 Jesse Labruno, LT: 73 Michael Grays.
***Azusa Penalties: 13 for 100-yards, Temple City Penalties 10 for 58-yards
***Temple City Starting O-line: RT: 57 Jared Seery, RG: 52 Alex Liu, C: 55 Eric Garcia, LG: 53 Miguel De Leon, LT 54 N/A.
***Temple City Quarterback Rico Salcido 8-19 174 passing yards 2 passing TDs
***Temple City Receiving: Cris Rabine three catches for 81-yards 1 TD reception,
Arron Arreola 1-34-yards 1TD reception, Paul Kosanovich 3 catches for 47-yards.
***Temple City starts Rio Hondo League next Friday against La Cañada
***Azusa starts Montview League next Friday against Sierra Vista at Citrus College
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