MidValleySports.Com

By Duane Barker

(South El Monte) It took more than four quarters, but the South El Monte Eagles defeated the Arroyo Knights 35-28 in a Mission Valley League matchup Friday night at “The Swamp” at South El Monte High School. 

When the clock struck zeros at the end of regulation, the scoreboard read Arroyo 28, South El Monte 28 and the teams were headed to overtime.

After tying the game at 28 with just 24 ticks showing on the clock the Eagles were finally able to catch the Knights after trailing the majority of the game.

South El Monte received the ball first to open up the overtime period and wasted no time to get in the endzone. Michael Maldonado found Gabriel Canchola over the middle as he spilt the Knight defenders from 25-yards away and the score. Angel Bautista booted through the extra point and the Eagles led for the first time in the game 35-28.

It was Arroyo’s turn to answer next but were unable to match the score as Angel Casillas’ pass on fourth down fell incomplete in the corner of the endzone.   

Arroyo struck first on their opening drive needing only two plays to cover 45-yards with Romeo Arevalo busting loose for 36-yards and the score. Paxton Parps added the extra point and with 11:29 left in the opening frame the Knights led 7-0.

Three minutes into the second quarter Arroyo extended the lead to 14-0 on Arevalo’s second score of the game on a three yard run. The touchdown capped a 10-play 56-yard drive. 

The Eagles got on the board as time expired to end the first half. 

After driving deep into Knight territory, the Arroyo defense tightened up and forced a field goal attempt. The attempt was blocked but a roughing the kicker penalty was called on Arroyo giving South El Monte one untimed down as the clock read :00.

Instead of trying another attempt, the Eagles brought their offense back on the field and were successful as Maldonado found Issac Gonzalez in the corner of the endzone for the score. Angel Bautista added the point after to cut Arroyo’s lead in half.        

South El Monte got the ball to start the second half and marched 66-yards on seven plays culminating with a Maldonado one yard run. Bautista’s extra point missed and the Eagles trailed 14-13.

On the ensuing drive the Knights extended their lead to 21-13 on a 16-yard pass from Casillas to Jonathan Ramirez.

With 5:13 left to play in the fourth, the Eagles tied the game at 21 with a one yard run from Damien Cordova and Maldonado carrying the ball across the goal line and two point conversion.

Arroyo bounced right back with another Arevalo touchdown to go up 28-21 this time on a 46-yard pass from Casillas.

With just over three minutes left to play, South El Monte went on an eight play, 70-yard drive with Maldonado scoring on a 22-yard run with just 24 ticks left on the clock.

Arroyo was able to get two more plays as time ran out but could not get into field goal range. 

The captains and coaches met at midfield for the coin toss to start overtime and the Eagles got the ball and the win.

Up next for South El Monte is a home game against Gabrielino and Arroyo will try and get back into the win column against Glenn.