They Love The Knight Life…(From left to right)–Cristian Castillo, (#77) Dominic Mendez, Edgar Gonzalez, (#15) Ernesto “Macho” Camacho…Photo by Joe T.
By Joe Torosian
(El Monte)—The Arroyo Knights used 31 unanswered points in the second to take a 48-14 victory over the Verbum Dei Eagles in the first round of the CIF playoffs on Friday night at B.L. Bergstrom Stadium.
Playing to a 17-14 lead in the first half, the Knights found the answer against the Eagles in the second half. Scoring on five of their seven possessions they took full advantage of Verbum Dei’s six turnovers on its final six possessions.
The Mission Valley champs enjoyed monster games from key players and great plow work from an offensive line consisting of Cristian Castillo, Bryan Delao, Dominic Mendez, Edgar Gonzalez, and Maxwell Martinez.
Total rushing for Arroyo was over 300 yards with Daniel Mendoza and Steve Olcariz combining for 232 yards and four touchdowns. Mendoza also picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.
Speaking of the Knights defense which produced seven turnovers (eight-counting special teams) it was led by cornerback/wide receiver Yezdan Marquez’s two interceptions. The senior also scored his team’s first touchdown on a 65-yard pass from Camacho.
Devin Knight, picked off a pass in the second quarter. Carlos Hernandez recovered a fumble on a kickoff, middle-linebacker Cesario Carrillo recovered a fumble, as did Aaron Campos on the Eagles final possession.
Verbum Dei’s Second Half Possession Drive Log:
(Where it began/How it ended)
Own-20/Punt
Arroyo-21/Interception
Arroyo-25/Fumble
Kick-Off/Fumble
Own-22/Fumble
Own-22/Interception
Own-47/Fumble
In the second quarter the contest–which CalPreps predicted Arroyo to win, 40-7 & MVS predicted Arroyo to win, 37-7–had an anxious 30-seconds.
With 11:48 to play in the half Rephael Alexander connected with Kaleb Scott to put Dei up, 6-0 after the deuce attempt failed. Sixteen seconds later, following the kickoff and taking possession at their own 35, the Knights answered back.
Camacho–rolling to his left–who earlier stung the Eagles with his running got them to bite. The defenders came up but the sophomore quarterback went deep to Marquez for 65-yard score. Jesse Ortiz added the point after.
Arroyo was back on top and The Knights Fraternity of Retired Quarterbacks–Kenny Smith, Dominic Salmon, Brian Partida, Steven Rivera, and Nathan Coto clanked their mugs & steins while singing the old alma mater…However, it may go…to the touchdown.
The dreaded “ensuing” kickoff then went high and came down at the 16 into the arms of Isaiah Robinson, who who went upfield, banked to the left, and was gone to paydirt. Dei added the deuce and 3o-tix after originally taking the lead, they were back on top 14-7.
Three minutes later Mendoza, on a fourth and one, pinballed in the middle of the line of scrimmage before finding and alley leading to a 46-yard touchdown. Ortiz tied it on the PAT and then put his team for good with a 20-yard field goal at the end of the half.
Next week…The Knights get Schurr…next month David Greenwod & Roy Hamilton return to Verbum Dei for the alumni basketball game.
Scoring Summary
2nd Qtr.
11:48—Verbum Dei: Alexander 17-yard pass to Scott (pass failed)
11:32—Arroyo: Camacho 65-yard pass to Marquez (Ortiz kick)
11:18—Verbum Dei: Isaiah Robinson 84-yard kick-off return (#6-not on roster-run)
8:17—Arroyo: Mendoza 46-yard run (Ortiz kick)
0:00—Arroyo: Ortiz 20-yard field goal
Halftime: Arroyo 17 Verbum Dei 14
3rd Qtr.
10:16—Arroyo: Camacho 15-yard run (Ortiz kick)
2:37—Arroyo: Olcariz 14-yard run (kick failed)
1:45—Arroyo: Mendoza 19-yard run (Ortiz kick)
End of 3 Qtrs: Arroyo 37 Verbum Dei 14
4th Qtr.
8:15—Arroyo: Olcariz 1-yard run (Olcariz run)
4:12—Arroyo: Ortiz 26-yard field goal.
Final: Arroyo 48 Verbum Dei 14
Arroyo Stats
Passing
#15—Ernesto Camacho
3-12-80-Td-Int
Rushing
#5—Daniel Mendoza
12-121-2Tds
#23—Steven Ocariz
17-111-2Tds
#15—Camacho
8-44-Td
Receiving
Rey Cotero-10yds
Yezdan Marquez-65yds Td
Devin Knight-5yds
Verbum Dei Stats
Passing
Rephael Alexander: 8-24-45 1-TD 4-Ints
Rushing
Nathan Newman: 8-15
Alexander: 9-65
Isaiah Robinson: 4-17
Receiving
Kaleb Scott:
5-38-TD
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