Ernest Camacho (#15) and Daniel Martinez (#16)…celebrates the Knights 38-14 victory over the Southmen. (Photo by Joe T.)
By Joe Torosian
(South El Monte)– Sophmore quarterback Ernesto Camacho passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more as the Arroyo Knights defeated the South El Monte Eagles, 38-14, Friday night at The Swamp.
When it comes to a big game in the Mission Valley League, Arroyo is a crusher of dreams.
For about three quarters, though, South El Monte was living, breathing, and believing.
Down 14-7 at the break, the Southmen tied it on their opening drive in the second half. Head Coach Frank Gallardo continually pounded Sal Tovar (24/166 yards/Td) into the line of scrimmage. The Knights secondary kept creeping forward. Then, using play action, Daniel Olmos moved to his right and found a wide open Julian Salcedo for 32-yard touchdown.
Three minutes later, before you could say Joe Timchenko, Arroyo retook the lead on an 18-yard field goal from Jesse Ortiz.
As the Knights defense put down the clamps, Camacho began moving the offense with key runs and passes. He capped a 75 yard drive on a 12-yard run to paydirt with 42 seconds left in the third quarter.
In fourth South El Monte imploded when they fumbled a punt that Arroyo’s Steven Ocariz (14/64 yards/TD) converted into a 10-yard touchdown run.
The South then fumbled the kickoff and the Knights recovered. A holding penalty pushed Arroyo back before Camacho gave a glimpse into the future.
“That was all him,” Arroyo HC, Jim Singiser. “I might have to kick my offensive coaches butts because he’s only a sophomore but it was all him on the fade to Yezden.”
The play that was all Camacho was an audible at the line of scrimmage when he saw the coverage on Yezden Marquez. At the snap, the receiver took off up the sidelines and Camacho lofted a pass that Marquez hauled in with his outstretched hands to turn into a 45-yard touchdown.
The victory improved Arroyo to 5-1 on the season and South El Monte dropped to 5-1.
Camacho’s final passing numbers were 18 of 25 for 284 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground he ran the ball nine times for 39 yards and two scores.
Summary
1st. Qtr.
10:03: Arroyo-Ernesto Camacho 1-yard run (Jesse Ortiz kick)
2nd. Qtr.
10:37: South-Sal Tovar 24-yard run (Isaias Acosta kick)
6:28: Arroyo-Yezdan Marquez 2-yard pass from Camacho (Ortiz kick)
Halftime: Arroyo 14, South El Monte 7
3rd. Qtr.
9:15: South-Julian Salcedo 32-yard pass from Daniel Olmos (Acosta kick)
6:25: Arroyo-Ortiz 18-yard field goal.
0:42: Arroyo-Camacho 12-yard run (Ortiz kick)
Arroyo 24, South El Monte 14
4th Qtr.
7:51: Arroyo: Steven Ocariz 10-yard run (Ortiz kick)
7:14: Arroyo: Marquez 45-yard pass from Camacho. (Ortiz kick)
Final: Arroyo 38, South El Monte 14
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