By Rich Whittington
(Whittier) – The San Gabriel Matadors had to “settle for second” Saturday evening, as the host Pioneer Titans won, 13-6, securing the CIF Division 14 Title in the friendly confines of Dick Torres Memorial Stadium.
The game was a battle from the start, as both teams ran the ball successfully. Scoring, however, was difficult to post, as both teams had lengthy drives stalled by a combination of solid defensive play, penalties, and several offensive miscues. This combination led to a scoreless first quarter.
Pioneer opened the scoring in the second period, when Amiri Resendiz connected with Jose Rojas for a 91-yard touchdown. The extra point was added by Sean Gamon, making the score 7-0, with 9:07 remaining in the opening half. The Titans added to their score as the halftime clock expired, when Resendiz found Jacob Rayas for a 47-yard scoring connection. The 2-Point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, making the score 13-0 at the break.
San Gabriel got into the scoring column on their first possession of the fourth quarter, when Adam Mascorro found the end-zone on a 4-yard touchdown blast. The 2-Point conversion attempt failed, making the score 13-6, with 9:48 remaining in the contest.
This highly competitive game provided excitement to the very end. With less that two minutes remaining on the clock, San Gabriel was able to force Resendiz to fumble the football. The Matadors recovered, giving them one final opportunity to tie the score. Unfortunately for San Gabriel, it was not to be. On the Matadors final play of the contest, Ricky Garcia’s pass to Aedin Powell came up just short of the line to gain. This turned the ball over to Pioneer and secured the Titan victory.
San Gabriel finishes the season with a record of 7-7, 3-2 in Almont League play, and the CIF Division 14 Runner-Up. Pioneer completes their 20214 campaign with a record of 9-5, 1-2 in 605 League play, and as the CIF Division 14 Champions.
@D14 what team do you root for or what division do you say is worth your watch or your respect? We all been waiting.
All the teams in that division are by definition horrible . Of course they beat them , they were a #2 seed . If they made a Division of the Raiders , Panthers , Browns and Titans , would we say that the winner of that playoff is great when they just beat the three worst teams in NFL? I’m not insulting anyone, and I’m happy for Pioneer
D14 why do you insult them. I know its kind of like trophy for all’ but they beat the same division teams they had to beat
@ron he never coached at San Gabriel he coached at Alhambra. And @d14 here we go again, buddy get over it this is the new format live with it.
@falloutboy the division is already in perspective it says “division 14” what else do you want? You want it to say bad football division? So you felt it was your duty to seek this blog and remind the readers that this was bad football?. Wow thanks anonymous person for your great take. Do you tell all the d2 kids in college well you’re not division 1 for a reason. How bout minor league guys? Well you’re not in the big leagues so please don’t celebrate or have any pride. Make sure you find the 8 man football blog just in case those guys start thinking they are doing good.
It happens very rarely because good players are coached out of that behavior, particularly at critical point in championship game . The Bears coach was immediately dismissed. Saying that it happens doesn’t mean it’s good , such as subtle sophomoric name-calling .
The larger point is I’m not putting the program down at all. I complimented SG coaches . I’m putting the Division in perspective because of the type of football that’s played there , and clearly some fans think it is good football. The playoff format allows administrators to think likewise
@ Truth Teller: Ah, come on. NWO has been around for years, so when he says he’s a supporter of the San Gabriel Matadors, I believe him. His comments are typically interesting and fact-based, so he’s developed some credibility here, as far as I’m concerned.
@d14 People let up at the goaline at all levels, it happens every year from professional to major colleges to d14. Malachi Corley literally did this last month in the nfl Doesn’t mean anything about the level of football. Bears head coach and Caleb Williams literally let the clock run out last week with a time out. Don’t put these programs down for their division.These programs put out a good product with very limited resources. Your small minded view and arm chair qb perspective is a dime a dozen.
@D14 you still never said what school or team you support? So I can have a better understanding at what “good football” in your eyes is
@ron This NWO guy sounds like a person from KEPPEL tbh or from Alhambra.
Let me clarify : the two acts of letting up and beginning to celebrate are on a continuum of behavior which is unproductive.
The previous posters used the terms “ started to celebrate “ and “ learned a hard lesson” . You yourself said the play crushed momentum for SG. I was not there. My comments were based upon these eye witness accounts .
I understand you are protective of your players and coaches , and want to see them in most positive light. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses . The only way to get better is to identify and address weaknesses.
SG did a great job of pulling team together and improving at the end of year to get 3rd in Almont . Congratulations on your year .
Thanks Ron, you are correct sir. Now a days I am a Booster/Alumni/Supporter of the program and the school.
@ Truth Teller: No, NWO is not a hater; he’s actually been very supportive of San Gabriel football. He used to be an assistant coach for the Matadors, if I remember a long-ago post of his correctly.
NWO may have also played for San Gabriel, but my memory is hazy there. Perhaps he can fill us in.
@D14 “celebrating” and “letting up” are 2 totally different things, I’m sure if you ask anyone the celebrating one would be more frowned upon. Also, you never said what school or team you root for so I can have a better understanding of a “good team@ in your perspective?
D14 does this mistake make you think the coaching was bad all season?
No I wasn’t at the game , that’s why I’ve been asking questions. “Letting up at the goal line “ and “0celebrating at goal line” are matters of interpretation. Thanks for your perspective. Most JV teams have kickers that can hit PATs at 80% or more .
@D14 you clearly weren’t at the game. NOBODY celebrated a touchdown before crossing the goal line. #7 was running into the endzone and let up at the goa line and a pioneer came from behind and punched out the ball. That’s what happen, there was no “early celebration” just a great play by a defensive player who didn’t quit. Can you tell me the team or schools you root for so I can understand what you think “good football” is. Thanks
@NWO you seem to know a lot about SG football, are you a parent or supporter or just a HATER? It’s almost weird how much you talk about them.
I took the handle D14 for this post because the events described in the game are so indicative of lowest level of football. Not being able to kick an extra point or having any confidence in your PAT team; celebrating a touchdown before crossing the goal line at a critical moment in the game ; these are telling vignettes . I guess people getting accustomed to looking at this type of stuff , and accept it as good football.
They have been going for two since Encinas took over. They also almost always went for the onside kick after every score. Not sure how much time they spend on all special teams.
@ D14: San Gabriel’s placekicker was two-for-four on his extra-point tries against Alhambra earlier this season. In addition, the Matadors attempted to run for a two-point conversion following one of their touchdowns, but they came up short. That didn’t hurt them, though, as they still won the game, 32-11.
@Anonymous 100% correct! #7’s fumble at that moment in time really sunk SG’s morale for the game. If they score there, they start feeling like they can come back and win the game but after that it just felt like nothing was going to go right period
@ 2022 SG Dad: Yes, I was at that game, which was the regular-season finale for both teams. Alhambra’s block of the PAT after San Gabriel’s game-tying touchdown kept the score at 13-13 and helped force overtime.
The Matadors got the ball first in OT and scored another touchdown, which they followed with a two-point conversion that gave them a 21-13 lead. That turned out to be the final score, as the Matadors kept Alhambra from scoring on its overtime possession.
Yes the Pioneer kid made such an incredible play. That play should be shown to every class after him of what it means to never give up. And the SG running back learned a hard lesson but could be what he needed.
@2022SGDAD **BINGO**
If you have an NFHS account, go to the 45 minute mark of the game and you’ll realize that #6 from Pioneer deserves play of the year in the SGV.
Going for 2 wasn’t the problem for SG. The star RB starting to celebrate a TD and then getting the ball ripped out at the 1 yardline was the problem.
@stat man in 2022 sg had their kicked blocked by Alhambra which would have won the game. So in overtime SG proceeded to go for 2 instead of the kick.Sg went on to knock Alhambra out of the playoffs the next game going for two nearly every possession. They went for 2 every time rest of the year and won a regional title. So they like to go for 2 now.
Pat team was under 50% on the year. They average over 5 yards a carry. If you’re going off analytics it made sense to go for two points. If you follow SG they usually go for two because of their average yards per carry. Pioneer made a great stop.Credit pioneer for a great win not an sg blunder.unless you mean South Gate that was a coaching blunder
If they scored again the score would have been 13-12 Pioneer . Then instead of being tied 13-13 and needing only to kick it to win , they would have been forced into decision of 2 for win or one for tie . The offense had struggled all night, particularly in the red zone . This is basic football analytics ; I think you’re saying that the PAT team isn’t very good and they went for 2 a couple times vs Duarte . Still not clear on the dubious coaching decision
I was wondering about all those contingencies ….. when they played Alhambra did they kick all their PATs? The game story would have made a bigger point of it , if there was a bad snap or some snafu????
I’ll have to ask around if nobody at game can clarify . Huge moment in game , in truth
@D14 at that moment in the game they just needed to score period. It didn’t do anything that they went for 2 instead of kicking the PAT. Because from what I remember they still could’ve won the game regardless but bcuz of costly penalties it became out of reach.
@truth, idk how going for 2 affects the “parents” and “community” ? lol as far as the kids you must not have been following along the games that were played by SG. Bcuz if you did they were for 2 each time vs Duarte and either got blocked or missed the PAT vs Costa Mesa. So again, does it matter? They lost.
@ D14: Perhaps San Gabriel’s regular placekicker was hurt? Also, the article isn’t quite clear enough as to whether the Matadors intended to go for two, or if a desperation attempt failed after a bad snap or hold on the extra-point try.
The only other possibility I can see is that the coaches simply committed a blunder. If the Matadors had successfully kicked that extra point to make the score 13-7, another touchdown and extra point could’ve given them a one-point victory.
I wasn’t there, so this is the best I can do to help clarify things.
Fumble at the 1 yardline which isn’t mentioned in the article killed the Mats.
Coaching decisions matter and either build or dissipate momentum for a team.
Yes it does matter to the kids,parents, community.
@D14 does it matter? They lost.
Why in the world did SG go for 2 point conversion at 13-6!in 4th??