“The Rally Man” Rafael Ayala leads LP past Bassett. (Photo by Alex Gonzalez)
By Alex Gonzalez
(Bassett)- La Puente backup quarterback Rafael Ayala led his team to three fourth quarter scores, including the game winning touchdown pass to David Flores, and edged out Bassett 28-27 Friday night at Bassett High school.
Bassett put together back-to-back touchdown drives to put them up 14-0 midway through the second quarter.
Jorge Blanco was the first to score for the Olympians when he bulldozed his way from six and two-yards out. On the next possession Anthony Adcock added six more when he walked into the end zone with 7:42 left in the second quarter.
La Puente finally got on the board with 3:16 to play before halftime when Erick Morales connected with Flores for his first touchdown of the game.
Bassett continued to control the game through the ground following intermission. Running back Christopher Rios added two rushing scores extending his teams lead to 27-7 with 3:44 left in the third quarter. The point after attempt was blocked after Rios’ second touchdown.
The Warriors closed the quarter with a 12-play drive that ended when Ayala hooked up with Jovanni Gonzalez for a 29-yard touchdown pass making the score 27-14 after three.
On La Puente used 11-plays on its next possession before Ayala dove into the end zone from four yards out.
Then with 2:30 left in the fourth, LP defensive-end Daniel Ortiz pushed his way through the Bassett line, forced and recovered a Marcus Ruiz fumble on the Olympian 37-yard line. Five plays later, Ayala connected with Flores for the game winning score with 1:21 left to play.
***La Puente Starting O-line
74 RT Adrian Rodriguez
75 RG Andrew Cilia
57 C Raul Montiel
54 LG Julio Espinosa
56 LT Aldo Galindo
***Bassett Starting O-line
72 RT N/A
66 RG Juan Garcia
75 C Mario Zamora
69 LG Ismael Yepez
73 LT Rodolfo Contreras
***”They played their butts off,” said LP head coach Scott Morrison after the game. “We knew it was going to be a physical game.”
***Rafael Ayala: 7-9 passing 115 yards 2 touchdown passes, 1 INT. 5 carries for 28-yards, 1 TD
***”After the interception I knew had to step it up because my team is down. I had to step it up for my team and my seniors,” said Ayala after the game.
***”He just made plays, he is just a tough kid. He is mentally prepared he did a really good job,” said Morrison on Ayala.
***La Puente starting quarterback Erick Morales was knocked out of the game in the first half and did not return.
***David Flores: 5 catches 62-yards, 2 touchdowns
***Friday nights contest was Bassett’s senior night .
***Bassett running back Christopher Rios 9 carries for 50-yards, 2 rushing touchdowns.
Leave a Reply