MidValleySports.Com

By Duane Barker

(Montebello, CA) The Schurr Spartans traveled a few blocks south to take on their Almont League rival Friday night in the Backyard Brawl. Schurr jumped out to an early 35-0 lead and held on in the second half for a 49-28 win over the Oilers at Montebello High School.

The game looked like it would go totally in the Spartans favor until the wheels started falling off in a second half that was marred by turnovers and a near brawl. 

The Schurr coaching staff put on their mechanics uniforms and righted the wagon in time to hang on to the W.

The Spartans jumped out to an early 7-0 lead taking their opening drive 80-yards on six plays capped off by a Christian Breazeale 1-yard score.

With 1:15 left in the first quarter the Spartans extended their lead to 14-0 on Elias Navarro’s first score on the night. Andrew Murguia added the extra point for good measure.

Just a few minutes later the Spartans would score again on an 8-yard pass from Breazeale to Fabian Escamilla-Sanchez. The score was set up by an Erik Henderson interception of Josh Castellano at the Oiler 23.

Things went bad to worse for Castellano as just a short time later Escamilla-Sanchez would pick off another pass and this time return in 80-yard to paydirt.

Schurr finished the first half barrage of points marching 70-yards on eight plays with Navarro’s second touchdown. Once again Murguia was good on the extra point finishing a perfect five-of-five point afters.

The Oilers came to life in the second half and on their first possession covered 56-yards on seven plays with Freddy Morales getting his number called and delivering on a one yard plunge. Guillermo Parrel booted through the point after and Montebello now trailed 35-7.

On the ensuing kick off, the Oiler coverage team forced a fumble by the Spartans Caesar Aguila at his own three. Montebello pounced on the loose ball and were in business deep in Spartan territory. Two plays later Sean Romer snuck the ball across the goal line from 1-yard out. Romer came on for the injured Josh Castellano.

The Spartans answered the score with one of their own needing only three plays to cover 80-yards with Navarro getting his third touchdown.

Down three scores the Oilers went into their bag of tricks to get back on the board. Lining up for a punt on fourth and seven at the Schurr 47, Oiler Noah Gomez faked the punt and fired the ball to the flat for Anthony Marroquin. Marroquin caught the pass and bulled his way through Spartan defenders 47-yards for the score with 3:22 left in the third quarter.

Things were starting to get nervous on the Schurr side of the field as what looked to be a scoring drive was derailed by a Mateo Carrasco fumble at the Montebello 25. 

A scramble for the loose ball was finally ended when Montebello recovered the ball at their own 45. Three plays later Morales took the ball into the endzone for his second score this time from 5-yards away.

A costly interception by Romero would lead to the next and final score for the Spartans. 

Brandon Ruiz picked off Romero at his own 23 giving the Spartans the spark of energy they needed.

Schurr proceeded to put together a 10 play drive that ate up 77-yards and minutes off the clock to get one step closer to finishing off the game and the Oilers. None other than Navarro got the call from the five for the score with only :39 seconds left to play.

Down 49-28 the Oiler started a drive from their own 35 only to see it end when Aguila atoned for his earlier miscue by intercepting Romero on his own 32.

Schurr will now await Sunday’s CIF Playoff Selections to see where they will be playing next week.