Luis Luna had a monster night for Rosemead including the game sealing interception.
By Duane Barker
(Rosemead) The Rosemead Panthers and the Covina Colts were two evenly matched teams coming into Friday nights first round game of the Mid Valley Division Playoffs. When the dust was settled the Panthers came away with a 31-27 victory thanks in large part to the play of Luis Luna who intercepted Joe Benavidez in the Rosemead endzone to all but end the game.
Luna also played a huge part in the offense hauling in eight catches for 174-yards and a touchdown.
It was Covina who struck first early in the game. On the second play from scrimmage, Pearnell Smalley took a Benavidez hand off, found a hole and was gone 48-yards to paydirt.
The Colts extended their lead to 13-0 on a nine yard run by Ray Benavidez.
The Panthers got on the board with 11:04 left in the second period on a 36-yard field goal by Jesus Renteria.
Rosemead came out on fire in the third quarter and outscored Covina 21-7 to take a 31-27 lead that they would make hold up for the rest of the game.
*** Steven Nava had an outstanding night at the helm for Rosemead completing 13 of 17 passes for 244-yards an
*** Benavidez was not quite as sharp for the Colts hitting on 14 of 28 passes for 219-yards and one touchdown but had two costly interceptions.
Patrick Lopez provided a spark in the running game.
*** Patrick Lopez led the Panthers on the ground with 107-yards on 12 carries that included a four yard touchdown run.
*** Smalley lead all ground gainers with 147-yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns.
*** Erick Williams had a solid night for Covina catching six passes for 90-yards and as score.
*** Angle Lopez and Robbie Franco also added scoring runs for Rosemead and Lopez also had 15 carries for a tough 50-yards.
*** Jordan Parham got in on the action for the Panthers catching four balls for 47-yards and added a big interception to halt a Colt drive.
*** “We have 16 seniors, we are supposed to do this. We are supposed to win. It’s been a grind. These kids are mentally tested and were tough. There is not going to be a situation where we are going to panic on the field any more” said Rosemead HC Marc Paramo after the game.
*** The Panther defense made a huge stop with less than four minutes to play. It looked like Covina was going to take back the lead but on fourth and one at the Panther five, Smalley was stuffed for a one yard loss and Rosmead took over on downs. The Colts got one last chance but the drive ended on Luna’s heroics.
*** Up next for the Panthers is a road trip west to take on the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers.
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