Eagles Keep It On The Ground…Run to Victory

Erick Cazarez and Cristopher Vasquez grind up the yardage against Bell Gardens

By Duane Barker

(South El Monte) The South El Monte Eagles played host to the Bell Gardens Lancers Friday night at The Swamp on the campus of South El Monte High School. The Eagles stayed on the ground and ran to a 21-12 victory.

Cristopher Vasquez got the ground party started taking the opening kick off at his own ten then wove his way through the Lancer defenders on his way 90-yards to paydirt. Vasquez didn’t get a chance to catch his breath as he stayed on the field to boot through the extra point.

Leading the way on the ground for the Eagles was quarterback Erick Cazarez who carried the ball 22 times for 144-yards.

Vasquez got the call few minutes later to cap a seven play 43-yard drive punching the ball across the goal line from two yards away. With his legs a little weary, his extra point try sailed wide left.

Things got a little tougher with 3:22 left in the first. Jesus Bernal set up in his own endzone to punt dropped to his knee to field a low snap. Being in the endzone when he took the knee resulted in a safety.

Ethan Rosales did his best to keep the Lancers close.

Down 15, the Lancers put together a scoring drive of their own marching 86-yards on 12 plays with quarterback Ethan Rosas finding Eloy Medina on a 15-yard catch and run. The extra point was no good and Bell Gardens trailed 15-6

With time winding down in the first half, the Lancers cut the lead to 15-12 when Rosas found Damien Diaz on a screen that Diaz took 34-yards to the house. Bell Gardens went for the two-point conversion but were turned away. Rosas finished the night connecting on 12 of 28 passes for 168-yards and two touchdowns.

Two field goals by Vasquez from 22-yards and 27-yards respectively would be the only scoring in the second half the last coming with just 2:29 left to play.

Next week Bell Gardens will play host to Covina while South El Monte will remain at home and host Glendale.

2 Comments to "Eagles Keep It On The Ground…Run to Victory"

  1. Mr.Goldbricker's Gravatar Mr.Goldbricker
    September 15, 2021 - 9:51 pm | Permalink

    Hey Knights
    Unfortunately I’ve heard that same rumor and confirmed it as well. Also heard this is not the first time Gordiano has left the team more of a pattern. But even without him The Eagles are gonna be a fun team to watch with Cazares at the helm. The last Qb for SEM that was this exciting was probably Jose Garay back in ‘09.

  2. September 14, 2021 - 10:40 pm | Permalink

    Rumor around town is a vital player from the Eagles has left the team.
    Arguably SEMs best player or second best player Runningback Ryan Gordiano quit the team two weeks ago. This after rushing for 165 and two scores against Alhambra.

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