Alhambra Beats Montebello with Two Late Scores

By Ron Vrooman

(Montebello) – The visiting Alhambra Moors scored a pair of late touchdowns to break a 27-27 tie and defeat the Montebello Oilers, 40-27, on Friday night.   

Alhambra’s win lifted it into a three-way tie with Bell Gardens and San Gabriel for second place in the Almont League.

The Schurr Spartans are now alone in first place after their 69-8 victory over Mark Keppel and San Gabriel’s shocking 35-0 loss at Bell Gardens.   

The Moors prevailed over the Oilers thanks largely to outstanding performances by senior quarterback Michael Gonzalez and junior wide receiver/cornerback Joshua Soto.     

Gonzalez completed 19 of 27 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, and he scored on a seven-yard run late in the first quarter.    

Soto made nine catches for 195 yards and two scores, which included a 32-yard strike from Gonzalez on fourth down which gave Alhambra a 34-27 lead with 3:36 left in the game. He then sealed the Moors’ victory by intercepting Montebello quarterback Michael Valdivia and racing 52 yards for an insurance touchdown with 34 seconds to go.      

Valdivia led the Oilers’ attack, connecting on 17 of 31 passes for 216 yards and three TD’s, with the one costly interception. Montebello running back Raul Gonzalez was the game’s leading ball carrier, rushing 13 times for 80 yards.   

The Moors amassed 373 yards in total offense, while the Oilers gained a total of 317 yards. Alhambra improved its record to 2-1 in the Almont League and 3-5 overall, and Montebello dropped to 0-3 in league and 1-7 overall.           

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