By Ron Vrooman
(San Gabriel) – Freshman quarterback Ricky Garcia threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead the San Gabriel Matadors to a 28-17 first-round playoff victory over the Alhambra Moors last Friday night.
The win, which was the Matadors’ second straight over the Moors in as many weeks, enabled them to move on to a Division 13 quarterfinal game at A.B. Miller (5-6) on Veterans Day. Alhambra ended its season with an overall record of 4-7.
Garcia completed 14 of 20 passes for 200 yards, and his three scoring throws propelled the Matadors to a 22-7 lead late in the second quarter. However, the visiting Moors scored twice to get back into the game.
First, placekicker Emilio Reynoso booted a 25-yard field goal on the last play before halftime to make the score 22-10. Then, to start the second half, Jackson Akers recovered an onside kick by Reynoso to give the Moors the ball at the San Gabriel 47.
Eight plays later, Alhambra quarterback Bryan Leonard hit tight end Jamichael Jackson with a 10-yard touchdown pass. That score, and Reynoso’s extra point, cut the Matadors’ lead to 22-17 with 8:13 left in the third quarter.
But, Garcia scored from a yard out on the first play of the final period to extend San Gabriel’s margin to 28-17, and those 28 points turned out to be all the Matadors needed.
San Gabriel receiver Tijani Daley caught six passes from Garcia for 89 yards and a touchdown, and running back Robert Lucero made three catches for 74 yards and a TD. Lucero found the going somewhat tougher on the ground, as he carried the ball 19 times for 78 yards.
For the Moors, Leonard showed considerable improvement in the rematch with the Matadors, completing 18 of 36 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Joshua Soto, playing in his final game for Alhambra, caught seven throws for 102 yards and a second-quarter score.
The Matadors gained 302 yards from scrimmage, while the Moors managed 248 total yards. San Gabriel’s defense held Alhambra to just 54 yards on the ground.
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