Steven Ocariz gave Arroyo a 7-0 lead with a 5-yard TD run in the first quarter.
By Tim Peterson
(El Monte) – Arroyo survived two missed field goals, a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown, and a fourth quarter deficit to beat South El Monte 14-13 Friday night at B.L. Bergstrom Stadium.
With the victory the Knights remained unbeaten at 7-0 while South dropped its first game falling to 6-1. The Eagles led 13-7 after Gaspar Beltran kicked a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Arroyo took the lead for good on an Ernesto Camacho two-yard plunge with 4:51 left in the contest. The Knights then held on to survive. Camacho capped a 53-yard, six-play drive that was highlighted by a 22-yard pass play from Camacho to Daniel Mendoza.
South El Monte then fumbled the ensuing kickoff setting the Knights up at the Eagle 25. But four plays later a 26-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. It was the second missed field goal of the night for Arroyo as a 30-yarder earlier missed its mark.
South finally did get the ball back with 1:30 left at its own 20 but the Arroyo defense held on not allowing the Eagles past the 39 yard line.
The Arroyo offense wasn’t its usual self as the Knights punted six times overall including four in the first half. South El Monte booted the ball away four times but also turned it over three times, including the fumble on the kick off and once on an Arroyo punt. However neither time did the Knights take advantage.
Arroyo got on the board first needing just three plays to go 38 yards after a short South El Monte punt. A 35-yard run by Steven Ocariz set up a five-yard touchdown run by Ocariz with 5:15 left in the first quarter.
Beltran booted a 28-yard field goal later in the quarter to make it 7-3. It stayed that way until halftime.
Jarvis Alexander Godinez sent a jolt through B.L. Bergstrom early in the third quarter when he returned a punt 52-yards for a score to give South a 10-7 lead. Beltran then hit his field goal in the fourth for the six point advantage until Arroyo rallied.
Sal Tovar had 113 yards on 22 carries for South El Monte but he was kept out of the end zone. Tovar also intercepted Camacho. Daniel Olmos rushed for 64 yards on nine carries and threw for 52 as the Eagle offense managed just a pair of field goals.
Camacho threw for 113 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Ocariz had 18 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown.
“When you hold those guys to six points, you should win the game. And that’s what our defense did today. I was happy with that. Holding that group to two field goals, that was a big effort by these guys on defense. Defensively they deserved this one,” said Arroyo Coach Jim Singiser. “I thought it was going to be a tight game. It’s always a tough game when we play those guys. It’s a physical game. It’s a rivalry game. We’ll take this win and get ready for El Monte.”
Next up for unbeaten Arroyo is the Lions at home. South El Monte will have a bye next week before facing Rosemead on October 20.
@spectator
@ Vrooman
Daniel Olmos impressed me on defense he is by far a better defender than a Qb
He missed a lot of throws.
Tovar on defense impressed me as well to carry the load on offense and to be a stalwart on defense is huge.
South El Monte is so much improved and I personally think they beat Schurr if they can get their passing game down.
Arroyo is definitely gonna be better from this once all the ice melts of course. That was one physical game! Expect Camacho to rebound next week a drop 400 yards on EM after probably playing his worst game ever at Arroyo. Arroyo 50-0 next week!
@ Spectator: It was really something to watch South El Monte play its starting quarterback, Olmos, at strong safety on defense. That’s living dangerously, but the Eagles have gotten away with it so far. He must be one tough and well-conditioned kid.
South El Monte’s other starting safety is tailback Sal Tovar. However, having a running back play both ways is a far more common practice at the high school level.
Those two guys are excellent football players. I wouldn’t be surprised if they once again lead the Eagles deep into the playoffs.
Arroyo & South El Monte played a great game. Out of curiousity of AHS stat man, comments regarding South El Monte, I wanted to see SEM play. What stood out to me, was the ability of Daniel Olmos to play both sides of the ball. I heard his name throughout the whole night. I think he did a great job as QB & safety.
For everyone’s information, Alhambra played Montebello on Friday night—not Schurr. The final score was Montebello 30, Alhambra 6.
It was a disappointing loss, especially since we failed to convert on three scoring opportunities in the first half. We’ll work hard to get back into the playoff race.
two years in a row the difference between these two teams has on special teams. SEM losing both. My guess is this bye will be spent on special teams…too little too late.
great games like this is high school football is all about. LOVED every second of that game. great job boys both knights and eagles
To think Tovar, Olmos, Mendoza, Nava, Carreon, Aguilar were all on the same Jets team growing up … imagine them on the same team now? 🤔
Arroyo didn’t play horrible they were scared, South was on a mission these boys deserve more credit than people are giving them.. it was one hell of a good game last night it comes to show that the Eagles can hang with Arroyo
Great game last night. but we are South El Monte, we aren’t chasing moral victories here. we have a good football team. We must learn to win games like this. we had every opportunity to put Arroyo away early in fourth and we let them off the hook. Special teams are once again the Achilles heel for us. I have full confidence in this coaching staff they will right the wrongs and get us on track for Rosemead in a couple weeks. A.J Carreon, Mike Sosa Awesome job giving Camacho fits all night. Sal Tovar footballer of the year man no doubt. theres no secret where were going with the football and the kid just keeps churning. lets get rosemead and prepare for the playoffs. chase that ring boys
Thanks SEM. sound like you were 5 minutes from rocking the foundation of MVS sports Fred Robledo and all the supposed experts. then you drop the ball…literally! Cmom guys. I hear it was a great game sadly I missed it. I witnessed my Panthers drop 50 last night. Second place is still a possibility. no Rosemead write up I see, maybe theyre still mad at me for releasing the news “Arroyo Gate”, so ill get stats for all the readers interested.
Arroyo-SEM recap
No TD passes
No offensive TD run more than 5 yds
Longest play of game – a punt return TD
We were all spot-on on our predictions!
… I take it all back just saw the Alhambra schurr score…
This is all great and I’m sorry to change the subject , but if Alhambra made it a game against SEM and SEM was neck and neck with arroyo does that mean that Alhambra has a legit chance at beating schurr and taking league, by associative property? any thoughts? May this weeks spotlight remain on this game , san gabriel valley football is just the best
This was everything I thought it would be. Best game I’ve seen in a while. late in fourth quarter SEM had the look of a team ready to put us away then almost identical to last year two costly special Teams turnovers injected life to the Knights more importantly kept our defense off the field. Someway somehow we prevailed. Great great game. Much respect to the coaching staff of SEM great game plan. Much respect to Sal Tovar who played like you thought he would offensively and defensively yes I said defensively “best player in the league”
Now, on to the Knights Daniel Mendoza was the man tonight so many tackles probably our leading receiver and probably our leading rusher to or close to it. No doubt the player of the game. Camacho was a bit down Cotero was down Urbina was down Ocariz was solid but not his usual self. Enter Fatty Mendoza who put the team on his back last night and carried us to victory.
Arroyo Knights MVL champions. CIF here we come
Knights did play horrible but the south showed that it can hang with arroyo… almost had it.. DONT DOUBT THE SOUTH
The South El Monte defense was forreal. It wasn’t that Arroyo played horrible. They had no running game what so ever. South El Monte dared them to run the ball rushing 3 guys most of the game. They shut down that air attack of Arroyo that Fred Robledo can’t seem to get off the sack of. Arcadia will be sure to take the gameplan South used defensively. They’re even bigger up front and sharper coverage wise…
The knights played horrible.