By Josh Ouellette
(Azusa) – Azusa scored with 46 seconds left to stun San Marino 27-24 to advance to the CIF Mid-Valley Division Semi Finals Friday night at Citrus College.
Former long time Aztec teacher and coach Benny Flores passed away this morning and all the Aztec players had a sticker on their helmets for him. Signs along the stands said “Win three for Flores” or “Do it for Flores.” His son, Nevin Flores, is currently an Azusa coach. But among all the emotions and pain the Aztecs came out firing on all cylinders.
In the first quarter Aztec running back Kendrec McDade scored two rushing touchdowns to put Azusa up 13-0.
After the Titans forced a punt they began to drive. San Marino’s Joe Forgatch connected with running back Benny Hung for a 22-yard screen pass setting up a 24-yard Matthew Wofford field goal, making the score 13-3.
Following a Titan punt the Aztecs scored from 27-yards out on a pass from John Chavez to Abraham Ochoa to give Azusa a 17 point lead at the break.
As the players came out of the locker room after halftime, the San Marino fans had some emotion of their own to give. As the Titans walked out they received a standing ovation, with one fan yelling “You can do this!” The players instantly took this to heart as they cut the score in half on a four play 70-yard drive that was capped off by a nine yard touchdown pass from Forgatch to Yortsos.
Both teams exchanged interceptions before San Marino drove again going 68 yards with Forgatch capping it off with a one yard sneak as San Marino narrowed the deficit to three.
On the ensuing kickoff the Aztecs return man muffed the kick and was tackled on the 11. Ben Harwich and Billy Ott sacked Chavez at the five. On the next play Jacob Martinez fumbled the ball, only to be recovered by the Titans. It took Benny Hung two runs to pound it into the end zone for the go ahead score at 24-20 with 3:46 left in the contest.
Azusa’s returner Desmond Reed didn’t fumble the kick this time and he made the best out of little blocking with a huge 42-yard return, setting up the Aztecs for their final drive.
Riding the shoulders of McDade, Azusa drove down field. They faced two fourth downs on the drive only to be bailed out by McDade who got the first down both times. On their next fourth down, Azusa faked it to McDade and Chavez hit Andrew Tomes for 12-yards bringing the ball to the two. Running back Steven Blount dove two yards for the winning touchdown.
The Aztecs advance to play San Dimas next Friday while San Marino goes back to the drawing board and think about 2010.
Aztecs do it for Flores, Edge out S.M.
By Josh Ouellette
(Azusa) – Azusa scored with 46 seconds left to stun San Marino 27-24 to advance to the CIF Mid-Valley Division Semi Finals Friday night at Citrus College.
Former long time Aztec teacher and coach Flores passed away this morning and all the Aztec players had a sticker on their helmets for him. Signs along the stands said “Win three for Flores” or “Do it for Flores.” His son, Nevin Flores, is currently an Azusa coach. But among all the emotions and pain the Aztecs came out firing on all cylinders.
In the first quarter Aztec running back Kendrec McDade scored two rushing touchdowns to put Azusa up 13-0.
After the Titans forced a punt they began to drive. San Marino’s Joe Forgatch connected with running back Benny Hung for a 22-yard screen pass setting up a 24-yard Matthew Wofford field goal, making the score 13-3.
Following a Titan punt the Aztecs scored from 27-yards out on a pass from John Chavez to Abraham Ochoa to give Azusa a 17 point lead at the break.
As the players came out of the locker room after halftime, the San Marino fans had some emotion of their own to give. As the Titans walked out they received a standing ovation, with one fan yelling “You can do this!” The players instantly took this to heart as they cut the score in half on a four play 70-yard drive that was capped off by a nine yard touchdown pass from Forgatch to Yortsos.
Both teams exchanged interceptions before San Marino drove again going 68 yards with Forgatch capping it off with a one yard sneak as San Marino narrowed the deficit to three.
On the ensuing kickoff the Aztecs return man muffed the kick and was tackled on the 11. Ben Harwich and Billy Ott sacked Chavez at the five. On the next play Jacob Martinez fumbled the ball, only to be recovered by the Titans. It took Benny Hung two runs to pound it into the end zone for the go ahead score at 24-20 with 3:46 left in the contest.
Azusa’s returner Desmond Reed didn’t fumble the kick this time and he made the best out of little blocking with a huge 42-yard return, setting up the Aztecs for their final drive.
Riding the shoulders of McDade, Azusa drove down field. They faced two fourth downs on the drive only to be bailed out by McDade who got the first down both times. On their next fourth down, Azusa faked it to McDade and Chavez hit Andrew Tomes for 12-yards bringing the ball to the two. Running back Steven Blount dove two yards for the winning touchdown.
The Aztecs advance to play San Dimas next Friday while San Marino goes back to the drawing board and think about 2010.
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