By Alex Gonzalez
(Glendora) — Josh Lopez threw three touchdown passes and Andrew Carrazco compiled 214 yards of total offense in Nogales’ 41-10 win over Azusa, claiming their first Montview League title since 1991.
To start the game, Nogales was struggled to put points on the board after their first possession. After Both teams traded three and out series on their opening drives, Francisco Ibarra III broke the 0-0 tie with his 26-yard rushing score with 3:43 in the opening frame.
Just as the quarter ended, the Nobles extended their lead when Angel Amaya picked off Jorge Ledesma’s pass and returned it to the house.
Midway through the second quarter, Lopez scored his first touchdown of the night when he optioned to keep the ball and scampered his way to the end zone from 34 yards out, putting his team up 21-0.
Azusa finally responded back when Jason Garcia converted his 30-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the half.
Nogales quickly responded back on their next possession when Lopez connected with Carrazco who took it the distance for the 87-yard touchdown with one second left in the second frame.
The Nobles continued to put points on the board at the start of the third when Lopez connected with Carrazco running the wheel route for their second touchdown of the night.
The Aztecs answered back with their first touchdown when Ledesma hooked up with Nicholas Samaniego for the eight-yard score with four minutes left in the third quarter.
Following Azusa’s stance on defense, the Aztecs managed to get down to the red zone but their drive was halted when Carrazco picked off the pass in the back of the end zone with 10:48 left in the game.
After a successful fake punt by the Nobles’ special teams, The Lopez and Carrazco combination hooked up again for the third time with a 14-yard pass and catch score. After the missed PAT, Nogales capped the score at 41-10 with 9:42 left to play.
With the win, the Nobles end the season with eight straight victories and their first Montview league title since 1991.
***Some Stuff
Nogales O-line
LT 55 Jessie Rios
LG 65 Victor Velazquez
C Chris Espinoza
RG Jose Palacio
RT Leo Gonzalez
Azusa Starting O-line
LT
LG 57 Jessie Solis
C 75 Christian Hernandez
RG 54 Danny Hurieta
RT 72 Jesus Cortez
Congrats Nogales you have a “W” for sure on Friday. No way La Puente brings anything to your field that will challenge you.