By Alex Gonzalez
Covina: The Ayala Bulldogs ended the 2021 campaign with a 40-14 win over Charter Oak Friday night at Lou Farrar field led by Chandler Carthan and Jedi Hernadez, who combined for 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns, claiming the Mountain West crown.
“It feels great,” Said Carthan when talking about being a league champion. “We worked hard, and we achieved it.”
The Bulldogs rushed for 278 yards and scored four of their six touchdowns on the ground as a team.
Drew Merrill was the first to score the game’s first touchdown that was set up after Carthan’s 59-yard run. Merrill took the delayed hand-off on the next play and wiggled his way to pay dirt midway through the first quarter.
Hernandez then capped off his team’s next possession with his first rushing score of the night from three yards out to give Ayala a 14-0 lead just as the quarter was coming to a close.
After both teams exchanged drives that resulted in punts throughout the second quarter, Bryan Wilson helped the Bulldogs extend their lead to 21 after he faked the hand-off to Carthan and found Vincent Garcia alone in front of the end zone for the score.
The night got longer for the Chargers following intermission when Jayden Alexander fumbled the ball on the team’s first play of the series. Five plays later, Ayala’s offense added their third rushing score of the night.
Then, Dominic Alloway ended Charter Oak’s drive on the ensuing possession by picking off Vincent Farrar’s pass and returning it for the touchdown.
Farrar was able to bounce back following the turnover as he connected with Sam Mason for the touchdown, avoiding the shoutout as the fourth quarter started.
Charter Oak then built a little momentum when Gabriel Heart blocked the Bulldogs punt and recovered it in the end zone, putting the score at 34-14 after the made point after attempt.
It did not take long for Ayala to respond to the 14 unanswered points.
Hernandez ended the night by rushing for his second score while ending the Chargers’ hope for a comeback.
With the win, Ayala will await their first-round opponent as the CIF-SS playoffs start next Friday night.
No league wins for CO. Can’t remember that ever happening before.
Good luck to the Bulldogs in the playoffs.