Our “One Year Ago” series moves into the semi finals as Rich Whittington covered El Monte’s win over Jurupa Hills at El Monte High. The win came with a surprise at the end as the Lions not only advanced to the CIF Division Finals but were declared CIF champions when the two teams in the other semi final were disqualified due to a brawl. The win and the announcement came on November 22, 2019.
By Rich Whittington
(El Monte) The El Monte Lions continued their winning ways Friday evening, edging the visiting Jurupa Hills Spartans, 22-15, in front of a near capacity crowd at El Monte High School.
During the pregame preparation, Jurupa exhibited a level of arrogance that is normally reserved for post-game celebrations. Laughing, taunting, and attempted intimidation appeared to be a normal part of their pre-game routine. General consensus among the EMHS sideline was, while tacky, this behavior was not illegal.
El Monte chose to do their talking on the field. RB Davon Booth led the way for the Lions, carrying the ball 24 times for 173 yards, including touchdowns of 10 and 48 yards.
Booth would also successfully convert a 2-Point PAT attempt. RB Abel Cueva also had a solid evening, rushing for 52 yards, including a 10- yard touchdown.
The Lions also shined defensively. El Monte’s “D” held Jurupa Hills to 223 yards of total offense. The Lions recorded sacks by LB Vince Herrera and DL Simon Cho. Additionally, the Lions created two turnovers, as fumbles were caused and recovered by DB Isaiah Ariza and LB Jonathan Lopez. El Monte also recorded a Safety, when CB JJ Reyes tackled Jurupa WR Davieon Gambo in the Spartan’s own end zone.
Jurupa Hills kept the contest close throughout. QB Eric Martinez led the way for the Spartans, completing 9 of 17 pass attempts, for 122 yards, including scoring strikes to
William English (6 yards), and Trayton Cooper (28 yards). Cooper also converted a 2-point PAT attempt.
The victory gives the Lions a 13-0 season record, and a chance to play for a CIF Division 12 championship. The Spartans finish the 2019 season with a record of 11-2, 4-1 in San Andreas league play.
NOTE: At the conclusion of the contest, El Monte High School Principal Robin Torres confirmed that a brawl had occurred during the other Division 12 semi- final game between Adelanto and Orange Vista, resulting in the disqualification of both teams. This decision means that the El Monte Lions are the 2019 CIF Division 12 Champions. Congratulations to Coach Jesse Ceniceros, his staff, and the entire El Monte Lions team on this great accomplishment.
im sure this was more than a fight. You don’t get a whole team disqualified for a fight. This was a team brawl… and this is HS Football. Need to have some sort of sportsmanship or discipline. This falls on coaches for not having their kids mentally prepared and disciplined not to clear the sidelines.
Always good to go undefeated and win a championship, but consider it was in Div 11 after years of being down divisioned. I wonder how El Monte will do when it is up divisioned. That is the mark of a rising program when you can still get in the playoffs when you start playing up. I do not think you are ready to beat Sierra Canyon or ? But then championship flags fly forever.
PS—How the mighty have fallen, eh John Muir? used to play and win against the big boys, and now you cant win when gifted a walk-over? Whats next 8 man football rings?
It was close going closer than people think. That’s beside the point. It wasn’t 41-0 at the half in favor of Adelanto. EM was up 6-0 at the half. Say what you will, up in the desert, Adelanto would have given EM a battle. Too bad they are undisciplined. It would have been a ball game. That’s why it blows to see this.
@Anonymous El Monte lion are not looking for approval or dont care if haters give them credit or not, they did what they had to do to set up a rematch from last year. If other teams couldn’t hold there end of the bargain I guess they didn’t want it bad enough. Jurupa hills players where acting a fool before the game but El Monte didnt take the bait cause they knew what was at stake. Jurupa hills especially #8 should of saved that energy for the game
Hahaha EM did NOT have trouble with OV..
EM vs OV was 35-6 and EM fumbled twice going into the end zone. Could of been worse.
We all know the principal and AD are imbeciles. They are lucky C fell on their lap. Call me a hater or whatever but if Adelanto doesn’t play people will NEVER give EM the credit. Adelanto was crushing OV 41-0. EM had trouble with OV. In some ways Adelanto should be the favorite. Styles make fight so who knows. But that’s the problem, you will never know if they don’t play. I hope both teams get the chance. The film will tell.
Took my boy today, he was there working and watching film and getting ready for Adelanto. The boys know and they’re ready to play next week or in two weeks. They want to be either 15-0 or 16-0.
Then why are you comment in this post?
Why would the principal say that, is she that dumb? Cif must rule on the fight before they disqualify them. What happens if cif decides to let them play, the players mine set think the season is over.
Lukewarm, seriously? 13-0 is hardly Lukewarm. Be a sportsman and give the team its due…and be man enough to post your name.
Good move by Orange Vista. I mean if your a lifer why not punch a guard? If you are losing 41-0 at least make sure the other team does not win either.
It doesn’t matter who they played, how they played, what players played, how they won.
They are CIF champions! They are NOT giving the trophy back!
El Monte will definitely have their haters mocking their championship, but I really feel for the kids. Getting your trophy in a school assembly is just not the same as winning (or hell, even losing) on the field.
I’m not sure how I feel about the whole state championships, but I’m happy for El Monte that their season ends on the field…one way or another.
Fake champs. Sorry, never did care for EMHS.
This is gonna drive the haters insane
Congrats on going 13-0. CIF SemiFinalist Champs.
Since football is essentially 150 ten-second brawls, how can two teams be disqualified for fighting? I guess the powers that be are saying that if you fight according to their specifications, all is dandy….fight on your own terms and you’re toast. This is a VERY lukewarm title for the Lions.
Wow. That’s sucks they don’t get a chance to win it on the field! But congrats anyway
Great game, glad I got to witness this battle. Jurupa tested El monte many time but El montes defense answered every test. This El monte team is speacial #12 #2 #23 game up with some key plays when it was needed. Good job not fall into the trap jurupa players tried to set before the game, they tried to intimidate you guys before the game but you guys kept your composure. Way to represent your city boys..