MidValleySports.Com

Alhambra RB Jacob Carabello

By Juan Carlos Salas

(Alhambra) – After five lead changes in the second half, Roosevelt took its first game of the season with a 16-13 victory over Alhambra. 

Roosevelt’s Ricardo Estrada got loose for the game-wining 16-yard touchdown with little over 90 seconds left in regulation.

Alhambra young quarterback Joshua Mendoza started the season throwing 50 percent with 191 yards. 

A performance that Alhambra Head Coach Lou Torres was pleased with, “Very happy with his work tonight, we will give him more and more. The stuff is there,” said Torres. “We have to be more consistent and complete what we have to complete.”

The first half started like most season-opening games, notoriously slow with little offense and players lacking connectivity. Neither Alhambra nor Roosevelt could produce any offensive progress as the defense kept the respective quarterbacks in check.

To put it in perspective, neither team crossed the 50, for the exception of a penalty call and a short punt.

However the second half was another story, starting with a long punt return by Roosevelt to the Moor 31. However, after several flags against the Rough Riders and a 27-yard pass to keep the drive alive, Roosevelt mustered a field goal to break the tie 3-0.

Towards the end of the third quarter, Alhambra finally reacted. With help of a pass interference call, the Moors capped a 54-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Patrick Bruno.

Roosevelt continued hot as it answered on its ensuing possession when Elgin Rosales hit the end zone after a 37-yard run giving his team the 9-7 lead.

“Our defense played well, but it’s something hat we have to go back and look at. Giving up what we gave up, we shouldn’t be doing that,” said Torres. “It might be personnel situation, we have to look back as coaches to see.”

As both teams continued to open up, Alhambra didn’t hold back. Jacob Carabello converted a 46-yard run to put the ball on the Roosevelt 1. George Vasquez followed, plowing through the trenches for the 1-yard touchdown and a tentative 13-9 lead with less than 10 minutes to play.

When the Rough Riders let a 62-yard drive go to waste after being stuffed two yards from the end zone, the Moors couldn’t capitalize and punted from deep into its own half, allowing Roosevelt to start their final drive from the Alhambra 30.

Few plays later saw Alhambra defend a fourth and long, however their inability to stay loose and spread defensively allowed Roosevelt’s quarterback Andony Flores to connect with Oscar Cibrian for a 24-yard pass that kept the drive alive. 

The next play saw Estrada drive for the Roosevelt touchdown, and the 16-13 lead.

Alhambra still had time on the clock and showed its efficiency as they ended on the Rough Rider 13-yard line. But with seconds left on the clock, the needed field goal to tie the game just went slightly wide left.

“We came into this season very young. We played well enough to win just made too many mistakes,” said Torres. “I got a very good team, but as soon as we got those mistakes take care of, we’ll be ok, I am happy because the kids kept playing.”