By Rich Whittington
(South El Monte) – The El Monte Lions took a big step toward the post- season Friday evening, defeating the host South El Monte Eagles, 28-21, at Eagles Stadium…affectionately known as “The Swamp”.
Football teaches us that big players make big plays at big times. This was again proven Friday evening, as Senior RB/LB Jonathan Lopez contributed, and scored, from both sides of the ball. In all, Lopez would leave his mark on three of the Lions’ four touchdowns.
El Monte opened the evening’s scoring, when Lopez found the end zone for a 4-yard TD, capping off a 10 play, 78-yard drive with 4:10 remaining in the first quarter of play. The PAT was added by Brian Gomez, making the score 7-0, Lions. South El Monte countered with a score of their own, when QB Matthew Medina connected with RB Christopher Vasquez for a 75-yard catch- and- run. The PAT attempt, also by Vasquez, was successful, making the score 7-7 at the conclusion of quarter #1.
South El Monte took the lead in the second quarter. After SS Nauh Martinez intercepted a pass from EM QB Alexiz Rodriquez, RB Alexander Ramos scored on a 21-yard run. The addition of another Vasquez PAT gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead with 9:59 remaining in the game’s opening half. El Monte tied the game a few minutes later, as Jonathan Lopez rushed for his second score of the evening, a 6-yard TD blast. The addition of a second Gomez PAT made the score 14-14, at the end of the first half.
The third quarter saw the Lions score the go ahead touchdown. After a fumble by SEM QB Medina, which was recovered by Jonathan Lopez, the Lions scored on a 9-yard TD run by RB Saul Sanchez. Another successful Gomez PAT made the score 21-14, Lions, as the third quarter came to a close.
The games final quarter provided yet more fireworks. South tied the score, when Medina connected with TE D’angelo Huerta for a 22-yard score. Another Vasquez PAT tied the score at 21, with 9:50 remaining in the contest. El Monte took the lead for good a few minutes later, as Jonathan Lopez intercepted an errant Medina pass and returned it 30-yards for his final score of the evening. Gomez converted his fourth extra point of the night, giving the Lions a 28-21 lead with 4:11 remaining in regulation.
The Eagles had one final opportunity to tie that game. With less that a minute to play, the Eagles found themselves with a first-and-goal situation, on the Lions’ 1 yard line. The defense stiffened, tackling the SEM Running Back for a six-yard loss. Another negative rushing attempt, and two incomplete passes, turned the ball over to the lions with 10 seconds remaining in the game, giving the Lions a 28-21 victory
El Monte concludes their MVL season next Thursday, 10/27/22, when the Lions host the Rosemead Panthers, in what will determine the recipient the league’s second automatic CIF Playoff spot. South El Monte will complete their league season on Friday, 10/28, when the Eagles will host the Mt. View Vikings. Kickoff for both contests is scheduled for 7:00PM.
I can only speak for myself. I would rather be a bandwagon crybaby than a straight chump a** hater. I support MV cuz I’m Alumni, I support SEM cuz my kids went/go there. I support EM cuz I have old peeps that are Alums and my kids have friends that go there. Everything in between those three schools is my community. I also have nothing against Arroyo. Good luck to the Mission Valley teams in CIF.
SEM fans have to be the biggest bandwagon biggest crybabies of all time!!!
stay up little bro, you tried that fade route on several other drives and failed to capitalize on it again. “small corner” still the only corner in the top 10 for tackles in the league and none of yours can even break top 20 . you had every opportunity to win this game and simply couldn’t hang with our front 7. just take yo L and go. “no talent” is crazy since I can’t remember the last time y’all beat EM. Cry about it like last year.
Anyways! I thought it was a good game. The better team won. Congrats to the EM. Hopefully the Lions beat the Panthers on Thursday and the Eagles TCB against the Vikings.
What’s more pathetic me coming here and posting, or you commenting on every post I make lmfao. I’m still involved in HS football what are you doing on here? Sounds a little eerie to me bro. How are them push ups coming along ?
@fridayknights lol how sad can your life be to just be on here all day talking about high school kids your a joke now sit down and shut up mr.get back coach your just a puppet and they are telling you what to do
Lmao Damm your life must be very sad if you stay on here talking about high school kids playing a game now sit down and shut up mr.get back coach
Here we go again every time we lose all these cry babies come on here whining about the team the coach or the school.
friday nights you are loser chump probably the dude who still rocks the mullet. your opinion is void
Joe Morales, If you cared about the program so much where have you been? we need assistant coaches Its easy to complain from the sidelines. Step up!
South is good hands this was one of those years coaches backed out kids got hurt. we will be back next year we bring a lot back and we will be ready!!!!
Chiones shhhhhhhhhhhh
@Joe Morales
Do you really think that would make a difference? Are you around the program these days? A better question is who replaces him. One must not forget Frank Gallardo did lead his team to back to back semi finals no other coach in SEM has done that. I agree that he must hire and maintain better assistant coaches but is the answer to change completely?
Sputtered isn’t the word. The O hasn’t been good all year long. The OC doesn’t have a clue and Frank doesn’t take over the play calling because then he won’t have anyone else to blame but himself.
At Joe Morales
Are you gonna throw your name in the hat?
South El Monte has talent. They need a new HC
@Eagles
I agree with your assessment on the Wr/DB mismatch they could’ve and should’ve taken more advantage of the defense. I think film day will show the coaches had more opportunities to throw the rock down field.
4 turnovers usually means you lose. It was just one of those nights where the Eagle offense sputtered and couldn’t capitalize on those mistakes.
No way we should lose to a team with very little talent and a first year coach. I know the EM coach is good but he does not strap on the pads. EM’s defensive backs are little and can’t cover. We have more speed than EM and expose their little corner for a touchdown. I do not see why we didn’t go back to that mismatch. Maybe I am a frustrated Eagles fan but El Monte dominated in ever aspect of that game and the only reason we were in the game is because the El Monte’s QB threw three interceptions. All those interceptions gave us great field position and we could only capitalize on the first int. Now we need help to make the playoffs and I think EM is in. How can that happen?
Are we now convinced of who the Eagles are? aside from a two year blip in 2017 and 2018. they’ve been A below average team who hands out a ton of coaching shirts with the amount of assistant coaches they’ve gone through. They are a very lucky OT win Vs a short handed Gabrielino team from being winless in league. I said at the beginning of the season, MTVW beats SEM in the annual Toilet Bowl game. I’m sticking with that prediction. This is gonna be the Views Super Bowl. Watch!!!!!!