The Lancers were all smiles, but HC Jesse Ceniceros got on their case for letting it be so close. (Photo by Joe T.)
By Joe Torosian
(Norwalk)- Carlos Jaurequi finished an 18-play, 94-yard drive, that gobbled up 7:52 of the fourth quarter clock, with a 1-yard run to give the Norwalk Lancers the lead and eventual 28-20 victory over the Bellflower Buccaneers on Friday night at Excelsior Adult School.
The drive was set up after the Lancers stonewalled the Buccaneers on four downs after they reached a first and goal at the ten. At the time Bellflower was leading 17-14 and looking to increase its lead. Three carries to Marquise Lowe brought them to fourth down at the two. Head Coach Derek Brown decided not to kick a field goal went for it. The ball was given to Lowe who attempted to run wide right but instead was drug down for 2-yard loss with 9:47 left in the fourth.
Norwalk then went on the march, pounding away with its double-wing offense, and took a 21-17 on Jaurequi’s score at the 1:55 mark.
The Buccaneers ran ran two plays on their next possession. The first was an incomplete pass. The second was the dagger as Lancers safety Angel Cano picked off Demetrius Reed’s pass on the eastern sideline and returned it 46-yards to paydirt.
***Bellflower’s Khalif Majied opened the game with a 96-yard kick-off return for a touchdown.
***The game was tied 14-14 at halftime.
***Norwalk’s Carlos Jaurequi rushed for 143 yards on 22 carries and touchdown. Gevon Moore rushed 131 yards on 15 carries for a touchdown and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Ausencio Navarro III in the first quarter.
***The Buccaneers were led in rushing by quarterback Demetrius Reed’s 62 yards on 11 carries. Starting running back Marquise Lowe did not enter the game until late in the first half and rushed for 57 yards on the 13 attempts. Madison Wheeler, who started the game, gained 42 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
***After Majied’s opening touchdown, the Lancers fumbled the ball on their first play from scrimmage. Bellflower took possession at the Norwalk 25 and reached the six before they turned it over with a fumble. The result of that give back was a 91-yard driver by the Lancers that ended with Navarro’s touchdown pass to Moore.
***Norwalk started on the offensive line: LT: Jesse Lotts, LG: Chandler Roth, C: Gabriel Silva, RG: Juventina Liera, RT: Rodrigo Sanchez.
***Bellflower started on the offensive line: LT: Jason Alonso, LG: Leon Singleton, C: David Esparza, RG: Jason Sitala, RT: Francisco Padilla (Note: Bellflower often flips its line from left to right during the course of a game).
***The Lancers played without leading rusher Chris Walker who broke his leg last week. According to his father, Walker might have an opportunity to return if Norwalk goes deep into the playoffs.
***The Buccaneers are now 2-3 in the Suburban League and 6-3 overall. The three league losses have come against La Mirada, Mayfair, and Norwalk, making a post-season birth a longshot.
***Norwalk is now 4-0 in in league and 6-2 overall. Next Thursday they play Glenn and in two weeks they host La Mirada for the Suburban League title.
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