By Alex Gonzalez
(Los Angeles) — Tailback Terence Simon Jr. punched in three rushing touchdowns including two in the second half to give Cathedral a 33-10 victory over Arcadia Friday night at Balzano Family Field.
Picking up early in the third quarter, the Apaches opening drive was stalled by an incomplete pass and two rushing attempts that resulted in negative yards. The drive was then derailed when Logan Applewhite and Mikal Gammage blocked Arcadia’s punt with Cathedral recovering the ball at the Apache 35-yard line. Five plays later Simon bulldozed his way for the one-yard score.
On the ensuing Arcadia possession, Dylan Guerra compiled a drive to take his team downfield. The drive quickly was cut short after Nick Veloz picked off a Guerra pass. The Phantoms wasted no time and Jared Heywood connected with Asontt Williams who was running the streak for the 35-yard touchdown. With the point after attempt Cathedral extended their lead to 27-10 with 3:03 left in the third quarter.
The Phantoms finally closed the door on the Apaches when Simon walked into the end zone for his third score of the night with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter.
To start the game, Cathedral struggled to produce any offense in the first half. The passing game struggled so the Phantoms leaned towards both Simon and Brandyn Jordan to carry the offense but Jordan missed time due to cramping throughout the contest.
Jared Heywood gave the Phantoms a spark when he opened the game with an 18-yard connection with Williams to give his team an early 6-0.
Arcadia was able to return the favor with a 34-yard field goal at the start of the second quarter. Guerra then put the Apaches in front when he darted his pass to Dyllan Wright, who was alone against zone coverage and crossed the end zone untouched with less than a minute to play in the half.
Just before intermission, Heywood hooked up with Alex Franco for 35 yards and then turned and handed the ball off to Simon on the very next play to take a 12-10 lead into the break.
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Cathedral Stats
Jared Heywood 7-16 passing 126 yards 3 TD
Terence Simon Jr. 20 carries 114 yards 3 TD
“Honestly, my offensive line did all the work, I can’t take all the credit. They blocked their ass off,” said Simon postgame.
Asontt Williams 2 receiving TD
Bramdyn Jordan 11 carries 73 yards
Phantom defense: Six sacks 1 INT
“Defense played great, said Phantom HC Anthony Jefferson. “We have to remember, this team scored 50 points in a quarter and they only scored seven points tonight. The defense played lights out.”
Arcadia Stats
Dylan Guerra 23-36 169 yards 1 TD
Ahmad Lipscomb 7 catches 47 yards
Phantoms Ranked in The LaTimes Top 25 at Number 24.
Arcadia was able to hang in there for the first half, but the Phantoms d-line wore the Apaches down in the 2nd half and took control of the game
Just like I thought,Cathedral wore Arcadia down. Too Big and strong up front for the Phantoms. The Three Cathedral Transfers did nothing all night. Next up for Cathedral The Carson Colts.