By Tim Peterson
(Pasadena) – C.J. Johnson ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns to lead Mayfair to a 31-14 win over Muir Friday night to advance to the CIF Division 7 Finals.
The Monsoons led from start to finish and never trailed in the contest. They established a running game early and the defense was able to shut the Mustangs down.
Mayfair scored on its first possession to get the ball rolling. Jeremiah Calvin connected with Max Mitchell on a 28-yard touchdown strike for a quick 7-0 lead.
On the Monsoons next possession Jonathan Arreola booted a 36-yad field goal to make it 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Mur got on the board in the second quarter when the defense set up a score. Alex Miller stepped in front of a Calvin pass and the Mustangs were in business at the Mayfair 40-yard line. Eight plays and a pass interference penalty later Christian Bozeman scored from three yards out to make it 10-7 with 8:22 left in the second.
It looked like Mayfair would take the three-point lead into the half but the Monsoons responded with a huge score just before halftime. Calvin threw a strike to Chaz Gilbreath for a 37-yard touchdown with just 22 ticks left in the half for a 17-7 lead.
Muir got right back right back in it to open the third quarter. An 83-yard pass play from Brandon Valencia to Arturo Ayers down to the Mayfair 15-yard line set up a seven-yard run by Bozeman to cut the lead to 17-14 with 8:42 left in the third quarter. But that was Muir’s last score of the night.
C.J. Johnson scored on a three-yard run to cap a 70-yard drive later in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter after the Monsoons’ defense stopped Muir on fourth down at the Mustangs 28-yard line, Johnson scored his second of the night on another three-yard run.
In a fitting end to the game Justyn Smith intercepted Valencia in Mayfair territory with under two minutes left to seal it for Mayfair.
Ryan Heredia added to Mayfair’s running attack with 56 yards on 16 carries. Calvin threw for 155 yards and a touchdown.
Mayfair’s defense held Bozeman to just 44 yards on 16 carries. Valencia threw for 183 yards for Muir but it wasn’t nearly enough.
Muir finishes the season with an overall record of 9-4 while Mayfair, 10-3, will face El Dorado next week for the CIF Division 7 Championship.
Please bring the principal at canyon to monrovia high school board. Bring Chris Williams back i
What coach Tom is retiring city coaches don’t fit in cif. I Seen some practices and games this year horrible the worst defense in 40yrs. The coach made no adjustments. The head coach brought in terrible coaches his yes people. We got rid of Chris Williams for this 🎪 of coaches. Please bring back the wildcat tradition..
Monrovia please realize we need to regroup. We have hit rock bottom with Jr all-American coaches coaching our football program. We need to help take back our culture. Coach Tom is embarrassed he’s been a coach at Monrovia over 40yrs. He last comment this is the worst coaching staff in 38 yrs