Dons’ Playoff Road Ends Against Eisenhower

Jordan Goodloe and Eisenhower are too much for El Rancho.

(Pico Rivera) Last week El Rancho won in thrilling fashion coming from behind to be Knight High School 56-52. There would be no magic on this Friday night as the Eisenhower Eagles downed the Don’s 34-21 in the CIF Division X semi-finals.

Eisenhower jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on the Don’s after a bad snap was recovered by the Eagles at the El Rancho 25. Dayvon Benton scooped up the loose ball and raced 25-yards to the end zone.

Later in the first quarter the Eagles extended their lead to 14-0 on a four yard run by Jordan Goodloe. The score capped a seven-play 73-yard drive.

The Don’s came back to cut the lead to 14-8 on their ensuing drive. Richie Amaya got loose and scored on a 31-yard run to paydirt. El Rancho went for two and got it on a gadget play when Justin Torres found Dominic Torres in the back of the end zone.

Jacob Moeller accounted for two scores but it wasn’t enough

With 7:05 remaining in the first half, El Rancho took their first lead of the game on a screen past from Jacob Moller to Fernando Silva. Silva caught the pass in the left flat, got to the sideline and outraced the Eagle defense for the touchdown. Joseph Reyes booted through the extra point for the 15-14 lead.

The lead wouldn’t last too long. El Rancho faced with a fourth and one at the Eagle 13 decided to go for it and Amaya was stuffed for no gain. On the next play from scrimmage the Eagles ran a screen play of their own and Ceasar Ayala found Benton on the receiver screen and Benton did the rest going 83-yards for the score.

Coming out of the locker rooms to start the second half, Eisenhower went with a pooch kick that they managed to recover at the El Rancho 40. A six play drive stalled and ended with a 22-yard field goal to extend the Eagle lead to 24-15.

After another Eagle field goal pushed the lead to 27-15, the Don’s answered with a score of their own. A 10-play 80-yard drive was capped by a four yard Moeller pass to Oscar Mendez. Even though Reyes’ extra point sailed wide right, El Rancho only trailed by six.

El Rancho attempted the on-side kick but Eisenhower managed to recover the ball at their own 49. One play later the lead was back to 13 when Goodloe busted loose for a 51-yard touchdown run.

The Don’s final hope was dashed as a Chris Andrade pass was picked off by Benton at the El Rancho 40. 

The Eagles managed to get the first down they needed to be able to close out the game in victory formation.

 

29 Comments to "Dons’ Playoff Road Ends Against Eisenhower"

  1. LS's Gravatar LS
    November 25, 2018 - 4:17 pm | Permalink

    Who takes to these boards to brag about their great successes and not say their name. Only liars of course. Ego-maniacs love putting their names all over the place. So hide Pinocchio but you ain’t fooling anybody. BTW no self respecting Pico boy would brag like you. You sound more like one of our poor LS kids that live off Lambert on the railroad tracks. See you at the car wash.

  2. Maverick's Gravatar Maverick
    November 25, 2018 - 9:20 am | Permalink

    @ Einstein , like like LOL.
    Note; Whenever someone says negative comments about yourself think of three positive things in your life.

    1. Beautiful loving family.
    2. Successful business.
    3. One hundred percent debt-free.

    End of story.

  3. Einstein's Gravatar Einstein
    November 24, 2018 - 10:45 pm | Permalink

    @ Maverick: LS is making you like like a fool ese’. Re- read your post. Most of your sentences make no sense and your spelling and grammar are all over the place. Quit answering the guy. You are just looking like a pendejo.!! E-Commerce LOL. If you understood the internet you would know there is such a thing as spell check and grammar check.

  4. Maverick's Gravatar Maverick
    November 24, 2018 - 3:55 pm | Permalink

    @ LS
    Troll,
    Do you even know want e-Commerce is?
    Let me school you youngster, it’s a internet business and my service sells itself. Maybe you don’t have enough brains to know what the internet is, do your homework next time big brains.

    Regarding being semi-retired, yes I don’t have to work every day like you and I’m not going to seat on my A, and golf and fish all day. You still haven’t told us where you live?

    I’m a 15+year La Serna fan, yes before the Beltran years.

    Why you ask,
    Because my Son Played for LS and I have many family, friends and parents from LS, not to forget my buddy son won the CIF Championship in 2013. I still go to most of the games, hit me up next year at one of the games.

  5. Fun Facts's Gravatar Fun Facts
    November 24, 2018 - 1:15 pm | Permalink

    This might put some perspective on El Rancho’s 2018 season. The teams that the Dons lost to had a combined record of 44-7. The teams El Rancho defeated in the playoffs had 16-4 records. Based on this and how well they competed in the semi’s the upward trend at the ranch seems to be going forward.

  6. DadER's Gravatar DadER
    November 24, 2018 - 2:54 am | Permalink

    1. Our only transfer was Ryan Santa Maria, he happened to be a legacy kid with an uncle who played at the ranch in the 70s and has family still living in Pico Rivera. It was almost all Wolverines starting for ER, however that don’t matter they were all ER Dons now. That Wolverine pipeline is drying almost completely gone.

    2. Andrade filled in nicely and will take the reigns next year.

    3. You’re completely off base and so far off the mark, for all we know he is Nick Saban to these kids, it got ER to its first Semi Final in 27 years and best record since 2000 (10-2) so I think he should continue to coach this way as the results have proven to be fruitful. Those few kids who we lose won’t contribute to the team if they can’t handle something so simple.

    4. They were solid, I would say yes 2 of the best in the last decade with the best being Mark Millan in 2014.

    5. #34, #24, #6, #44, #54, #65, #63, #1 all returning on defense.

    It is clear you have a bone to pick with Coach Medrano however it’s easy to do such things when you remain anonymous. Keep hating though, we all know who you are.

  7. LS's Gravatar LS
    November 24, 2018 - 2:00 am | Permalink

    You truly are stoopid. First you say you are retired and enjoying life then you say you have some business you work at that generates 250K. Like all liars you can’t keep your lies straight. I don’t need to be a troll but I do enjoy pointing out a liar. What is your business? Selling horchata’s on the side of the road. Let me know and I’ll stop by.

  8. TheRanch's Gravatar TheRanch
    November 23, 2018 - 5:12 pm | Permalink

    A few takeaways from this season and things to look forward to.

    1. This group of players was great together. Whether they were wolverines, Dons, guys who never played, or transfers (yes we had a few despite what our coach likes to say), this group of guys knew how to play together.

    2. Medrano and staff know how to coach. Medrano found a way to get the offense rolling without a true quarterback. He went from being pass happy to run happy. It’s obvious he knows how to find a way to succeed with the talent he has. Genius move to rotate #12 in at QB to take the pressure off Moeller who was struggling at the beginning of the year

    3. If the program is to get better, those silly rules of Medrano need to go. He had a group of players who bought in this year but the modern kid doesn’t want to take football tests, be forced to call their coach sir, or have what they wear on game day monitored. We lose a couple of great players every year because they don’t fit into Medrano’s cookie cutter way. You’re not Nick Saban dude.

    4. The line was lights out. #73 and #77 have to be 2 of the best linemen that ER has had in the last 10 years. Guys just got out muscled.

    5. The defense made a lot of strides this year but they lose almost everyone and the tiny secondary still creates problems for the D.

  9. Maverick's Gravatar Maverick
    November 23, 2018 - 4:20 pm | Permalink

    @LS
    Your a troll and not a La Serna fan.
    You seem to think everyone in Pico is ghetto, NO…

    Regarding my location, I currently live in East Whittier in a 4 bedroom 3 bath home, that I own in full, no mortgage payments.

    Where do you live in a one bedroom apartment off Scott or the trailer park off Lambert? You claim to be a LS fan so you must live in the area.

    You want to know more about me?
    My business generates over 250k a year.

    You better get back to work from your Walmart job your late.

    THINK DIFFERENT!

  10. BS's Gravatar BS
    November 23, 2018 - 4:19 pm | Permalink

    Let me tell you a little bit about myself: I am a self-made failure with 5 two-year degrees from Rio Hondo, having lost the bulk of my millions by investing in sporting blogs. Sure, I could consolidate my holdings and still owe $40k to my creditors, but I prefer to spread the debt around to those in need. I’ve got 25k of my debt going to commenter LS, who can add the obligation to the note on his 2019 white BMW.

  11. LS's Gravatar LS
    November 23, 2018 - 1:51 pm | Permalink

    Wow if it takes all your assets to buy a house in Whittier Hills and then still have a huge mortgage payment then you ain’t doing all that good Pancho. Best keep your 2 bedroom off Passons.

  12. Maverick's Gravatar Maverick
    November 23, 2018 - 2:51 am | Permalink

    To all the big brains bashing boys from Pico.

    I’m from Pico and let me tell you a little about myself, I don’t have a degree from Harvard or any university. What I do have is multiple properties paid off in full and I’m 100% debt-free. Also semi-retired in my 50s, running my successful e-Commerce business and invest in real estate. I don’t live in a big house on the hill, don’t need it.

    Why you ask?

    I don’t want to be tied to a mortgage for the rest of my life, or give up all my assets to live on the hill. I want too enjoy my life with my family and spread my wealth with them. All my children are all successful because of the values they learn from my wife and me. And yes my son has a degree (Bachelor of Science) in biochemistry from CSLB. You can go to school all you want and get your degrees but that doesn’t make you smart. ITS HOW YOU THINK…

  13. Hit the Books's Gravatar Hit the Books
    November 19, 2018 - 1:17 pm | Permalink

    The lasting message of this season is that kids have to focus on the classroom. Otherwise, how will they ever be able to land one of those minimum-wage jobs our economy is creating in record numbers? I suggest paying the most attention in those courses that deal with mental health: it will come in handy when you have clashes at home over the issue of living with your parents forever.

  14. Anonymous.'s Gravatar Anonymous.
    November 19, 2018 - 11:59 am | Permalink

    Educators can do so much, some do much more, their job is to educate. The job of the student at the end of the day is to attend class, turn in their assignments, be a participant in class discussion, and pass your exams. With that comes the knowledge and the curiosity to expend their horizon. The job of parent become the role model, hold your child accountable, support them, encourage, be involved, engage them, and most of all in the educational setting, be involved in what they are doing at school. You know their is homework. You know there are exams. You know how to get of hold of their schools counselors and teachers. Parent when are you going to your child accountable for their education.

  15. ER Pops's Gravatar ER Pops
    November 19, 2018 - 3:16 am | Permalink

    @PR let me break it down for you and the others. Were we missing a couple of players? Yes Did it affect the outcome? No.
    Our 1st snap was a fumble that resulted in a TD return (starting qb and center) it was just a bad exchange. We battled back to take a lead 15-14. Where the game turned was the 4th and 1 on their 17 yard line w a little over a minute remaining in the 1st half. Amaya is the back we would run on that short yardage play. The DT came free off the backside. Not sure if there was a miscue or if it was supposed to be a read. (Starting line in tack) But Eismehower made the play and took that momentum and then on the next play turned that screen into a touchdown w similar play that we took to the house earlier. Eisenhower converted an onside kick to began the second half and converted a fake punt on 4th and 11. Our defense held to 6 points but what killed us was the clock they killed on those two series alone. They took almost 8 minutes off the clock just w those two drives. That’s 1/3 of an entire half gone. That was their game plan was to play keep away and it worked. When our offense had the ball we pretty much executed, we just didn’t have enough touches. The offense finished w nearly 450 yards of total offense. (Slightly above their season average) You said something about receivers not playing? I’m not sure on that one but it had no factor. Moeller threw for a season high 210 yards and completed 73% of his passes. If anything this was his and the receivers best game. As for the defense they played a solid game and there was no factor there. If you look at the Mo Val and Knight game we had bounces go our way. We had our fair share of executed onside kicks, finger tip catches and key 4th down conversions. But on Friday night the bounces went the other way and that’s the way football goes. In the end we had a lead and couldn’t hold it. We were down 27-21 but couldn’t make that key stop. We needed that one bounce but it didn’t happen. The kids on the field never gave up and always believed they had a chance. If this season proved anything, there was no signature player and it was always the next man up regardless of the situation.

  16. Second to None's Gravatar Second to None
    November 18, 2018 - 9:40 pm | Permalink

    What is of more value to a high school: star athletes who make everyone in their school and community proud, or 1000 nerds who get good grades? If you answered in favor of the nerds, it’s because the people who run the schools have told you to think that way, and you’ve bought their bull. And just who do you think the people are who run the schools? You guessed it: the nerds.

  17. Mr. Chips's Gravatar Mr. Chips
    November 18, 2018 - 8:30 pm | Permalink

    Cut a kid a break teach! These PR boys are not gifted brains. They can’t afford tutors. They do fail once in awhile. Their dad’s probably have them working after practice. A break will teach them more than lowering the boom. Now the boys have no reason to try and do homework now. The season and the team have been stripped from them for a grade that could have been worked on. You got to know Corona Centennial would never kick a star off the team during playoffs.

  18. Elrancho's Gravatar Elrancho
    November 18, 2018 - 8:20 pm | Permalink

    ER had every shot to win this game, spotted them 7 to open the game, scoop and score on the first offensive play. 2 failed red zone chances, if that 4th and 1 before the half gets converted ER goes into the half up by 8 instead Ike gets the ball and takes it 80 and lead 21-15 at half. ER goes into the locker room and surely thought we’re gonna punch back right now and then we lose the second half kickoff which totally changed the game, right away they started playing game clock and managed to come away with 2 FG while milking the clock like crazy. ER played some great defense but were just gassed at the end which let #11 slip away. I truly thought ER was going to stop them that last drive and march down to win the game, but we saw how it ended. Eisenhower is not that great of a team, Moreno Valley and Knight we’re far more athletic and balanced, the difference was ER was at full strength in RD 1 and 2 and were at maybe 80% vs Ike.

    Looking forward to 2018. ER has a very nice nucleus coming back at many key positions. Looking forward to Adrian Medrano continuing to build this program up to its true potential! ER possibly going to get bumped back to D9, I foresee Ike, Highland, Knight maybe even Bonita going up to D8 or D7. If ER stays in D10 they will make another run. D9 doesn’t look impossible either.

  19. Area Dad's Gravatar Area Dad
    November 18, 2018 - 4:25 pm | Permalink

    Bottom line is this @Mr Chips & Second to none, the players that failed their teammates an coaches did not do their schoolwork. Shame on them. Hopefully they learned a valuable lesson that will burn in them and drive them to do better. The head coach and AD at El Rancho did keep tabs on the players grades and constantly reminded the players to keep their grades up and do their homework.

  20. ?'s Gravatar ?
    November 18, 2018 - 3:49 pm | Permalink

    Not having grades to play, falls on the player and parents, not the educators. Its called accountability.

  21. Maverick's Gravatar Maverick
    November 18, 2018 - 3:36 pm | Permalink

    I forgot to mention, back in my days (Way back in the 80’s) I drove a 61 ragtop VW bug with a 2180 under the hood and could take any V8 Light to Light (catch me if you can!) yes I burned-out that motor, but put a 1900 in it and still would smoked you. To this day I’m fast…
    That’s why my name is The Maverick, I think different.

  22. Maverick's Gravatar Maverick
    November 18, 2018 - 3:02 pm | Permalink

    I have to speak on this one.

    I’m not going to make any excuses for the Dons failure and If any of you were at the game like me, you know there where some horrible officiating, late hitting, pass interference tackle in the 4th, etc… Eisenhower is a good team, but their one dimensional running team and ER’s defense just couldn’t stop 11 their 5’10” 210 (looked more like 5’11”-6’ 220) running back. The DONS were in the game to the end and the score does not reflect the outcome.
    Regarding some of your comments, even to the fact you bringing in language to the equation. It sounds like the (R) word to me, not good. And some of you talk about education, tell me different in your so called days that you passed with flying colors. You remember school back in the days. By the way aside from athletics, math and history where my favorite subjects and my son now has a BS from Long Beach State in biochemistry. I also want to share with you some of my previous posts on another thread.

    Maverick
    November 15, 2018
    As some of you may not know I’m a big La Serna fan, all my kids played and went to school at LS. My Alma Mater is El Rancho and I wore the Big ER on my chest. I will be at the game Friday and thinking about taking my old Varsity jacket, just don’t know if it will fit. Lol…
    Once a Pico Boy always a Pico Boy.
    Go Dons!!!

    Maverick
    November 16, 2018
    I want to clarify my support for LS football, as I’m born and raised in Pico. My wife is from Whittier and I purchase my first of three homes in Whittier and still live their to this day. I don’t live in a huge house on the hill, I’m very humble and live in a modest home in East Whittier. Like I said before all my kids played and went to La Serna.
    I have been to plenty if ER game and support the Dons to the fullest, I am happy the program is vastly improving. My support for these programs will always be in my heart.
    DONS and LANCERS for life.

  23. Second to None's Gravatar Second to None
    November 18, 2018 - 2:12 pm | Permalink

    I agree with Mr. Chips, Dr. Donuts, Professor Pizza and Father French Fries. Many teachers enter the profession with an unacknowledged desire to rectify their own failed high school experience. If that means ruining things for the popular jocks whom they couldn’t be (or couldn’t date), so be it. Revenge is everything to these turds.

  24. Mr. Chips's Gravatar Mr. Chips
    November 18, 2018 - 1:31 pm | Permalink

    You have to realize that El Rancho educators do not mess around. The pressure to pass failing students must be huge for a team making a deep run in the playoffs. Very surprised teachers did not recognize their coming classroom failures early and resolve the problem.Unfortunately no one wins in these cases. Grade checks were mandatory in my day. Every week. And when no effort was made and no improvement you did not practice and were no longer on the team. Do not know the complete circumstances of course but unless the student athletes were not going to class this was preventable. Some educators relish failing football players. They are jealous of the popular sport and it’s jocks. Hell in D! some college athletes can’t even speak English in a complete sentence.

  25. Second to None's Gravatar Second to None
    November 18, 2018 - 12:40 pm | Permalink

    When it comes to keeping students awake in those mind-numbing social studies classes, NoDoze tablets are second to none. I understand the school board is going to vote on a resolution to make Dollar Tree the school’s official supplier of stay-awake tablets.

  26. PR's Gravatar PR
    November 17, 2018 - 11:57 pm | Permalink

    A missing 2 way starting offensive weapon will sure change the way an offense is called, plus a key defensive linemen and a couple of WR out and the result is a 34-21 loss. This team as it was 1 week ago was good enough to win a CIF title unfortunately kids didn’t take care of business and it caused ER dearly.

  27. History Helper's Gravatar History Helper
    November 17, 2018 - 7:07 pm | Permalink

    If history was one of the deficient subjects for those who didn’t make grades, at least the name Eisenhower is now squarely in everyone’s memory. If all CIF teams were to be named after key governmental, scientific or literary terms, we’d have an excellent start on spawning the next generation of Einsteins.

  28. Del Rio Watcher's Gravatar Del Rio Watcher
    November 17, 2018 - 4:49 pm | Permalink

    Eisenhower was good but……. If El Rancho had even their “B” game intact they could have won this game. Something was missing, a spark,energy,focus, something, but that happens in sports. Anyways good run, they certainly did not get run off the field and had a chance to win till the end.

  29. Just an 'ol has been's Gravatar Just an 'ol has been
    November 17, 2018 - 10:18 am | Permalink

    To the ER faithful, “Congrats” on a season well played. In speaking with Medrano and Gonzalez, the vibe in the community has been positive. From the start of the season to the end, You all kept moving forward and improved each week. There is definitely something special taking place in Pico Rivera. I truly hope the city and school district steps up and helps renovate the facilities. You all deserve it.

    “Pursue Victory with Honor”!

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