By Joe Torosian
(El Monte)–The Arroyo Knights scored in each quarter and put the contest into a running clock mode before closing out a 35-6 victory over the Lakeside Lancers on Friday in the first round the CIF playoffs at B.L. Bergstrom Stadium.
There was plenty Ernest Camacho. The junior quarterback completed 14 of 25 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown.
…And early on there was plenty of Steven Ocariz. The senior running back for accounted 29 yards and a touchdown in the first half but a leg injury sidelined him for the rest of the night.
After the 4-yard scoring run by Ocariz and a pair of field goals by Jesse Ortiz the Knights led 13-0 at the break. In the third quarter, Adrian Calvillo broke off a 30-yard dash to paydirt to blow the game open. Eight minutes later Daniel Mendoza made it a 27-o contest on a 1-yard run.
In the fourth Camacho went 18-yards to Andrew Lechuga for six, and when Rey Cotero hauled in Camacho’s pass–following a scramble–for the 2-point conversion it was 35-0 and the running clock was started.
That’s the good part for the defending CIF champs. The bad part was several penalties, four fumbles–one lost–and an interception.
The Lancers were led by Adrian Burke’s 92 yards on 23 carries, but it was freshman quarterback, Dakota Pope’s 14-yard scoring pass to Paul Branam that put Lakeside on the board with 4:55 left in the game.
Calvillo finished with 57 rushing yards on 9 carries. Mendoza rushed 7 times for 23 yards and caught 5 passes for 115 yards.
Lechuga has 7 receptions for 84 yards.
Starting Lakeside Offensive Line: LT: Wyatt Steele, LG: Jason Avila, C:#72, RG: Ulises Gonzalez, RT: Maguire Cole.
Starting Arroyo Offensive Line: LT: Dylan Leonardis, LG: Cristian Castillo, C: Adam Delao, LG: Noah Mendez, LT: Alex Montoya.
Rancho Mirage’s, 41-39, victory over Jurupa Hills Friday night means Arroyo will travel to the desert next week to face the Rattlers in a rematch of last season’s 2016 CIF final.
The victory was Arroyo’s 35th all-time in post-season football. It’s first win came over Loyola in 1968.
Arroyo blows them out this time around. Rancho is not the same team as last year. They were beat bad by BG at home earlier this year. Arroyo 42-14
Very impressive performance Friday night…
not looking forward to the drive out to Rancho Mirage. But 100% we’re going to beat these guys again.
Arroyo’s football organization is class from top to bottom, and I wish them nothing but the best as they take on the Rattlers once again.