By Tim Peterson
(Irwindale) – Rio Hondo Prep had their best running back knocked out with an injury, committed numerous penalties, turned the ball over and still came away with a 20-9 victory over Schurr Friday night at Kare Park to open the season.
Rio Hondo Prep running back Noah Penunuri, the Mid Valley Sports Player of the Year, and one of the top players in the San Gabriel Valley, was knocked out early in the second quarter with an apparent rib injury. Flags littered the field throughout the contest and the Kares didn’t get their running attack going until the second half. But ultimately the Kares came away victorious.
Schurr scored first when Robert Olivares booted a 36-yard field goal with 3:55 left in the first quarter.
It appeared the Spartans would take the 3-0 lead into the break as both teams struggled offensively. Both teams were stopped twice on fourth down attempts and they both punted the ball away. Then with 44 seconds left in the second quarter Yanick Diaz hit Elias Har in stride and he motored into the end zone for a 6-3 RHP lead. The extra point attempt was blocked.
Early in the third quarter the Spartans let a golden opportunity slip away after recovering a Nathaniel Shine fumble at the Rio Hondo Prep 19 yardline. But after a couple penalties a 34-yard field goal sailed wide right and the Kares escaped the threat.
Later in the third Calogero Chico (cool name) escaped the Schurr defense and raced 63 yards for a touchdown and a 13-3 lead.
Schurr still had problems moving the ball against the Kares stop unit and Rio Hondo Prep took advantage.
With 5:26 left in the fourth Tyler Dang swept wide left, hit the corner and was gone for a 50-yard score to put the game away.
The Spartans did manage a 27-yard touchdown strike from Jacob Torres to Caesar Aguila late in the fourth to account for the final score.
Chico rushed for 119 yards on 8 carries for the Kares to give the offense a much needed spark.
For Schurr Mateo Carrasco had 18 carries for 66 yards.
Things won’t get any easier for Schurr next week as the Spartans are home to take on La Serna. Rio Hondo Prep will host Quartz Hill.
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@KIAC He was the girls flag coach last year ?
Austin Montoya celebrating a kid getting hurt? kind of reminds me of when Carlos Arredondo was fired up during a scrimmage when the other teams QB got his bell rung , possible concussion, and “coach ” Arredondo was celebrating with the players.
must be a Schurr thing! but it makes sense , Carlos has bounced around from programs. Coach Montoya looked better coaching girls flag last year. As a schuss alum, you’ll win league coach. but first round exit. maybe 2nd round if you’re lucky.
I’m going to say that Schurr is a good program; they play with heart and grit. I watch from the cheap seats on Vail ave or my phone. The defense does a good job, and I know defense wins championships, but the offense needs some work; they need to turn the page of the playbook and open it up. Montoya and his staff are great but need to look in the mirror and make the adjustment to put points on the board. I want to wish Montoya and the Spartans future success.
RHP way over-rated. Get a field to play on if you want to be taken seriously. For now you are just a travel team.
The coach at Rio Hondo Prep makes these allegations all the time to pump up his players. He has been saying these falsehoods for years. Go back and watch his interviews, they have a good program and he doesn’t need to stoop so low to get his kids and fans motivated. He plays the no respect card.
You will rarely, if ever, see me reply. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and we lost the game, so I am open to all the criticism. I need to improve and coach better, but we are not going to lie about my players or their actions. Luckily I can say with 100% certainty that what you’re saying did not in fact happen. I went to the restroom with them and we did not celebrate the unfortunate injury to Noah. I can’t be everywhere but luckily this time I was there and can debunk this lie. He is a great athlete and message Coach Carson multiple times checking on him last night and this morning. I pray he’s back soon and running wild on defenses. Wishing Rio nothing but success and health going forward. You can reply if you want but I won’t respond those are the facts of the matter.
From T. Peterson: Thanks for clearing it up coach. I did not see or hear anything regarding that on the field or otherwise. Also I saw video of the play where the injury occurred and it looked like it was a football play…nothing malicious or any bad intentions that I could see. Unfortunately injuries happen in football. Hope to see Noah Penunuri out there again soon.
From all accounts, this is the behavior that was conducted throughout the off-season and something that permeates throughout the culture of Schurr Football. They’re winning games, but at what cost? The coach is a smooth talker, but when these things continue to happen, you know it comes from the top. You don’t hear of Bogan, Maggiore, or the other local greats ever conducting themselves like this.
Give credit to Schurr’s coach for scheduling up trying to prepare his team for the future.
However, culture and character matters. It is reflected in how you play the game matters.
Unfortunately, Schurr players were heard at halftime of the game celebrating the injury of Rio’s running back after the malicious illegal late hit that was notfor a football play. Sadly, this is not a good look their program. It’s one thing to play hard between the whistles. It’s a completely different thing when players are screaming they are, “#31 killers” going to the bathroom during halftime. That reflects intentionality. That demonstrates a value of disrespect for the game, opponent, and life itself.
This is the contrast between these two programs. Rio promotes a culture of positive character and respect allowing them to play hard, physical football with enthusiasm between the whistles. That is true respect.
@Anonymous,
“Schurr they should have”…. PUN fully intended…LOL!
Schurr will “Shirley” be 0 and 2 this time next week after La Serna gets done educating them as well!
Schurr should have won this game but couldn’t get out of there own way. Bad penalties all game long
So I guess you are saying Schurr is not very good?