By Tim Peterson
(Whittier) – Angel Diaz scored on a five-yard run with 7:26 left in the game to lift El Rancho to a 21-14 win over California Thursday night at Cal High.
With the win the Dons secured second place in the Del Rio League with a record of 3-1.
Diaz’ run capped an 80-yard,10 play drive after El Rancho had forced a Cal punt. After the Dons took the lead the Condors moved the ball down to the El Rancho 39-yard one but punted the ball away with over three minutes left and El Rancho was able to pick up a first down and run out the clock.
After a scoreless first quarter Cal got on the board first early in the second. A short punt gave the Condors good field position at the El Rancho 28. Cal took advantage when Coby Workman scored on a six-yard run six plays later to make it 7-0 with 8:22 left in the second.
El Rancho answered late in the quarter. The Dons, also on short field, capitalized when Ryan Vasquez hit Andrew Bojorquez in the corner of the end zone for 24 yards to tie it. Bojorquez leaped up and made a nice grab, then came down in bounds just before rolling out.
Early in the third El Rancho broke the tie with a quick, up-tempo, five-play, 60-yard march. Vasquez threw his second touchdown pass of the night – this one a 15-yard strike over the middle to tight end Joseph Macias.
Cal tied it with just 22 seconds left in the third quarter when Trelyn Turner plunged in from the one to finish a 65-yard drive.
El Rancho controlled the clock in the fourth quarter with the time consuming drive that led to the go ahead touchdown. The Condors only had one more possession and were forced to punt.
Diaz had 11 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown and also caught 6 passes for 64 yards. Antonio Carbajal ran for 56 yards on 13 carries. Vasquez completed 11 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. He also was intercepted twice.
For California Workman rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries while running mate Turner ran 14 times for 49 yards and a score.
The Dons went 6-4 in the regular season and will now wait to see who they will face in the playoffs. The CIF pairings will be announced Sunday. Cal went 4-6 overall and 2-2 in the Del Rio.
#18 on El Rancho can’t possibly be any good. Why? Because ever since the open enrollment debacle, all the good players in the area just go to La Serna. LOL
At least that’s what I have read here in the comments for years.
Sarcasm/
Btw too bad #18 is a Senior or I could get the Red Pill Hill recruiting bus rolling down Youngwood to Slauson to scoop this kid up
so he could join the mighty LS football Juggernaut.
Torres is bouncing, Cal was a bad choice all along. There is no way to undo the bad choice anymore, probably would be best to stay at cal
What team are you talking about ?
Let’s Go DONS!
Angel is an example of his coaches … ask him and he will tell you. He is a Ranch Guy , old school ER alumni would tell you. It’s going to be weird to watch ER play next year with out Angel in that #18 flying all over the field .
?- that penalty Cal had for over celebrating a GREAT defensive play was not a impact on that drive … it was on 1st down I think … what it did do is pump up the ER crowd … we blew up after that flag lol
Thank you Tim! Hopefully we see you out the next game 🙂
I don’t know who played QB this game but just letting them know Torres isn’t the one next year, seen #1 play he’s better or bring someone up because Torres needs to change positions.
Funny how so many people comment on other threads about this game that were not even at the game. That said I missed this prediction by a mile. I didn’t figure that ER had one guy able to lift his team up like Diaz. I always hesitate to fluff a good players ego but this kid strikes me as egoless. Oh he celebrates with his guys for 5 seconds then grabs his lunchbag and goes back to work head and shoulders first. A more worthy MVP Del Rio League player if I have ever seen one. And from a distance and not knowing the team vibe I get the feeling his team would agree. Well done kid!
This was a great, old school type of game. Smash mouth and very physical. ER went away from the razzle dazzle RPO offense and just pounded it on the ground and Cal punched back over and over. Not sure why anyone would have called this bad football.
From T. Peterson: I agree. It was good game. Smash mouth.
Hasn’t this been the same finish for years? Groundhog day.
Good game. Critical play was a celebration penalty that allowed ER to continue 4th quarter drive. That is unfortunate but the over reaction to a fine defensive play by the Condors was to obvious to ignore. ER players so banged up they will need the popcorn sellers to suit up next week. Hope Condors get an at-large bid somewhere.
Good win El Rancho. Now we wait for Sunday!