MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Pasadena) – Cooper Berry completed 22 of 25 passes for 447 yards and six touchdowns to lead Maranatha to a 49-7 rout of Artesia Thursday night at Maranatha.

The Minutemen did most of their damage in the first half piling up a 42-7 lead at the break. They scored once more in the fourth quarter which was a running clock.

Berry hit on a 64-yard touchdown strike to George Pamilton III on the first possession. On the next series Berry found Nico Vergara for a 10-yard score to make it 14-0.

Then the defense got into the act. Brandon Chen scooped up an Artesia fumble and raced 35 yards for a touchdown. Maranatha took advantage of another Artesia turnover on the next possession. Berry hooked up with Vergara again for a 22-yard scoring toss and the Minutemen were up 28-0 after the first quarter.

The barrage continued in the second quarter. Pamilton got loose for his second score of the night taking a Berry pass and going 53 yards on the catch and run.

With 1:43 left in the second quarter Berry found Bradley Loiacono open for a 11-yard touchdown.

Artesia managed its only score of the night when quarterback Jorge Velazquez scored on a four-yard keeper with 13 seconds left in the half.

After a scoreless third quarter Maranatha pushed it across one more time in the fourth. It was Berry again, who else? who connected with Vergara on a 24-yard touchdown pass with 8:53 left in the contest.

Vergara was Berry’s favorite target hauling in nine passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns. Pamilton had four receptions for 125 yards and two scores. Blake O’Brien had only two catches but they paid off for 85 yards. Loiacono grabbed for receptions for 72 yards and a score. Berry spread the wealth in a big night for the Minutemen offense.

After a 34-14 win over Arroyo last week the Minutemen, now 2-0, have racked up 83 points in two games.

Joey Peck relieved Velazquez at quarterback for Artesia in the second half and threw for 128 yards but the Pioneers couldn’t find the endzone in the second half. Artesia is now 1-1 after the defeat.

Unbeaten Maranatha will face Rio Hondo Prep next Friday night.