MidValleySports.Com

By Rich Whittington

(El Monte) – The El Monte Lions provided some “Homecoming Magic” Friday evening, defeating the visiting Whittier Cardinals 42-6, in front of a very enthusiastic group of alumni, former players and coaches, students, and fans at El Monte’s Lions’ Stadium.

This was a busy evening for the El Monte community. In addition to the football game, two former players had their jerseys retired, and it was the last home game that will be played on the natural grass field that has adorned this facility for decades, and, as mentioned earlier it was Homecoming.

With all of the additional events that were taking place, there was a small concern that the players might lose focus. Happily, this was not the case. The Lions were led by QB Brandon Do and RB Felipe Taboada, who provided three
touchdowns apiece.

El Monte wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. After recovering a Whittier onside kick attempt, Brandon Do logged his first score of the evening on a 51-yard “Quarterback Keeper.” The PAT attempt was unsuccessful, making the score 6-0 with 11:50 remaining in the opening quarter.

Whittier answered in the first, when QB Michael Santos connected with WR Hayden Figueroa for a 13-yard scoring strike. The PAT attempt was unsuccessful, making the score 6-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter brought a barrage of offensive fireworks for the lions. Taboada scored his first, and second, touchdowns of the evening on runs of 16 and 3 yards, respectfully. Additionally, Do scored his second TD, a 5-yard scoring blast. All three PAT attempts were successfully converted by K Aaron Rivera, making the score 27-6 at the
conclusion of the first half.

The third quarter provided another El Monte score, as Do connected with WR Anthony Ramirez for a 10-yard touchdown. Another Rivera PAT made the score 34-6 after three.

The final quarter saw Taboada add his third score of the evening, coming on a 2- yard blast. The 2-Point Pat was added by Fb Jaime Hernandez, making the score 42-6, as the game came to a close.

The Lions also shined defensively, recording five turnovers. Anthony Ramirez, Noah Munoz, Brandon Torres all intercepted passes for the Lions, with Torres recording two “picks”. Additionally, Ramirez also recovered a fumble.

El Monte (1-2) will be on the road next week, when they travel to Baldwin Park to play the Braves. (1-3) Whittier (1-2) will be at home, hosting the Katella Knights (1-2).