By Rich Whittington
(El Monte) – The El Monte Lions had no answer for the Hawthorne Cougars’ “Big Play” capabilities, as the visiting Cougars scored four touchdowns of over 45 yards, en route to a 44-37 victory over the host Lions on Friday evening at El Monte’s own Lions’ Stadium.
El Monte opened the evenings scoring, establishing a running attack that covered eighty-six yards and consumed over half of the opening quarter. The final 15-yards were supplied by Running Back Felipe Taboada, resulting in the Lions’ first score. The PAT was added by Kicker Bryan Gomez, making the score 7-0 with 5:41 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Lions increased their lead in the second quarter, as Gomez added a 22-yard Field Goal. This made the score 10-0, with 11:06 remaining in the opening half.
Hawthorne got on the scoreboard on the very next play, as Kick Returner Adrian Reyes returned the ensuing kickoff 85-yards for a score. The 2-Point PAT attempt was no good, making the score 10-6 with 10:41 remaining in the period. The Cougars scored again a short time later, as Marcus Bindi found the end zone on a 10-yard jaunt. The 2-Point PAT attempt was again unsuccessful, making the score 12-10, Cougars, with 8:02 remaining until the break.
El Monte retook the lead on their next possession, as Taboada scored his second TD of the evening…a 14-yard score. A second successful Gomez PAT made the score 17-12 with 4:47 remaining on the clock. El Monte added another score in the period, when Quarterback Brandon Do scored on a 5-yard TD blast. A third Gomez PAT made the score 24-12, with: 48 remaining on the clock.
Hawthorne added another score before the break, when Quarterback Obie Brown connected with Zameere Medina for a 62-yard touchdown. The 2-Point PAT was successfully converted by Bindi, making the score 24-20 as the second period ended.
After a scoreless third quarter, both teams got back to work. El Monte opened the scoring in the final period, as Do scored on his second 5-yard run of the evening. The PAT was blocked, making the score 30-20, with 11:56 remaining in the game.
The Cougars countered the El Monte score, when Brown found Bindi for a 56-yard catch-and-run. Brown successfully added the 2-Point PAT, making the score 30-28 with 10:09 remaining in regulation. El Monte was again able to counter, as Taboada scored his third TD of the evening on a 1-yard blast. Another Gomez PAT made the score 37-28 with 8:52 to play.
Unfortunately for El Monte, the last two scores of the evening would belong to the Cougars. The first of these scores came on a 45-yard Kickoff return. The 2-Point PAT was added by Medina, making the score 37-36, El Monte, with 8:37 remaining in the contest. The second score came with :28 left on the clock, when Bindi logged his second score of the evening on a 10-yard TD rush. The 2-Point PAT was added by Brown, making the score 44-37 as the game came to an end.
With the win, Hawthorne improves to 6-6, and advances to the CIF Division 14 Semi-Finals, where they will play the Lynwood Knights. Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7:00 PM. The location will be announced later this week. El Monte ends their season with a record of 5-7, 3-2 in Mission Valley League play.
Good season Lions!!!!!