MidValleySports.Com

By Alex A. Gonzalez

El Monte – The Maranatha Minutemen traveled to B.L. Bergstrom Stadium Friday night to start their 2025 campaign against the Arroyo Knights, and after a slow start, the Minutemen rattled off 21 unanswered points before halftime, en route to a 34-14 win on the warm summer night. 

Quarterback Cooper Berry scored four total touchdowns, three passing and one rushing, while completing 18-29 passing for 229 yards with one INT. 

“It was a great team win,” said Berry after the game. “I feel like everyone stepped up from JV all the way up to varsity. It feels awesome to get the win.” 

With both teams struggling to find their identity in the opening frame, minimal offensive production was made for the first nine minutes of play. That changed at the 2:42 mark when George Pamilton took the handoff from Berry and bolted his way to the endzone from 25 yards out for the game’s first touchdown. 

Following the score, the Knights were able to wake up and compile a nine-play drive of their own to tie the ball game at seven as the second quarter began. After successfully converting two fourth-down attempts in the series, Angel Casillas connected with Romeo Arevalo, who then took it to the house for a 37-yard score with 10:11 in the second quarter. 

The tie score only lasted 12 seconds because on the ensuing possession, Berry took the snap and executed the design run perfectly as he was able to reach the endzone for the 65-yard score. 

With no response from Arroyo on their next possession, the Minutemen started to build momentum when the offense pulled off the infamous hook and ladder play. Berry dropped back to pass, connected with Bradley Loiacono, who then pitched it to Pamilton, who took it the rest of the way for the score midway through the second quarter. 

Then, just before intermission, the Knights committed a costly pass interference penalty in the end zone, giving Maranatha one more play before the two teams went into the locker room. They capitalized on the foul when Berry scrambled out of the pocket and threw a dart to Moses Llamas for the score. After Arroyo blocked the PAT, the Minutemen went into the locker room up 27-7. 

“I think after the first drive we were a little nervous and excited for the first game,” commented Berry on the slow start. “That touchdown that I had, but not just me, but George (Pamilton) on that first touchdown run, he opened the game up for us and got everyone hyped.”

With the game in control, Maranatha only scored once in the second half, tallying their score at 34 after Berry connected with his favorite target of the night, Niko Vergara, for the walk-in touchdown late in the third quarter. 

Arroyo was able to put together a scoring drive of their own after replacing Casillas with Freshman quarterback Oscar Lopez midway through the final frame. Lopez completed all but one of his four passing attempts on the drive for 36 yards. Once the offense was within the goal line, Arevalo capped the nine-play drive when he punched in his rushing touchdown. 

With the win, Marantha will host Artesia next Friday night. And for Arroyo, they will travel to Torrance to play South next Friday night.