By Tim Peterson
(Monrovia) – Monrovia built a 21-0 halftime lead and then had to hang on in the fourth quarter to beat La Canada 28-21 Thursday night in a key Rio Hondo League battle.
La Canada rallied in the second half and was down 28-21 in the fourth quarter when Monrovia fumbled with 3:50 left. The Spartans recovered and were in business at their own 48. The Spartans moved the ball down to Monrovia 24-yard line where they faced a fourth and four with 1:40 left. A delay of game penalty pushed them back to the 29. Quarterback Joe Bell dropped back to pass but was forced out of the pocket and pulled it down to run only to be stopped at the 27. The Wildcats ran out the clock from there and escaped with the victory.
La Canada struck quickly in the third quarter down 21-0. Bell hit Quest Swan (cool name) on a 46-yard touchdown strike to make it 21-7 early in the third.
Monrovia took advantage of a La Canada turnover late in the quarter when a bad snap and a recovery set Monrovia up at the Spartan 15-yard line. A penalty pushed the Wildcats back but a couple of plays later Jesse Saucedo hit Vince Paez on a 25-yard touchdown pass to make it a three-score game again with 1:02 left in the third quarter. That touchdown proved to be the difference.
La Canada struck again on the first play of the fourth quarter as Bell connected with Jakob Kim on a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Bell did it himself scoring on a two-yard keeper to finish a 78-yard drive with 5:06 left to make it 28-21. But that was as close as La Canada would get as the last opportunity came up short.
La Canada had six possessions in the first half and five ended in punts as Monrovia took the early advantage. Saucedo hit Joshua Griffiths on a 75-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
In the second quarter Lucas Martinez scored from two yards out to cap a 72-yard march. Another big strike by Saucedo with 1:22 left in the first half made it 21-0 as he found Paez for a 64-yard touchdown.
Paez had a big night for Monrovia with 7 catches for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. Saucedo threw for 308 yards for the Cats. For La Canada Kim caught 7 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown and Swan had 4 receptions for 72 yards and a score. Bell threw for two touchdowns and ran for 75 yards and a score on 11 carries.
The Wildcats took that lead into halftime and then were able to hold La Canada at bay. It was a big win for Monrovia after a loss to South Pasadena last week.
The Cats are now 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the Rio Hondo. They will face Poly next week. The Spartans are 8-1 and also 3-1 in league and will face South Pasadena next week. The Tigers are 6-2 and 3-0 in the Rio Hondo with Temple City and La Canada left on the schedule.
I will say that RHL has very good underclassmen Quarterback play happening. LC, TC and SP starting Sophmores while Monrovia has the Freshman slinger. The next few years should be really fun to watch as those kids should only get better.
Those were some crazy Saturday mornings after Friday night games . Always seemed more random than a coin flip
@ Grim, I am not so sure they do coin flip any more. Last year they declared 3 way Co-Champions between Monrovia, San Marino and South Pas. I think it could be an agreement made amongst the schools prior to the season, but I am not 100% sure. I remember the coin flips and the playing of OT rules on a neutral field to determine CIF spots in the past.
three way tie scenario now.
La Canada beats SP, and the tie breakers and coin flips then follow.
Would not be the first time the RHL has had the wild and wacky finish..
If you dont know what I mean then you are new to the RHL
Called it.
La Canada hadn’t played a good team all year, (D12 also-rans Crescenta Valley and Santa Paula both 4/4 ranking highest )and the moment was too big for them . Can’t allow huge plays to Monrovia , have to make them drive so they can shoot the selves in foot. That penalty was crucial moment as well. They are trying to get over the hump, let’s see if they can do it vs SP. Otherwise 3rd place finish
LC’s defense and offense took a nap in the first half. Put themselves into too big a hole. LC coaching staff botched the last drive by not getting the call in and taking a crucial delay of game penalty that made a short 4th down much longer.
RHL Fan,
LC’s defense took a nap on 2 huge plays.
Well, as it stands right now, even a broken clock is right 2 times a day.
Should be an interesting game. LC’s defense has been outstanding this season. Can they keep Monrovia out of the endzone? We know Monrovia’s defense has been suspect this season and LC has been putting a lot of points on the board. If LC wins, puts them in the driver’s seat for Rio Hondo League title. A Monrovia win could make for another 3-way tie like last year if SP beats TC tomorrow night.