Mikey Vasquez rushed for 159 yards
(Montebello)- Eddie Federico threw two touchdown passes in the last 3:37 of the game to propel Arroyo to a 12-8 victory over Montebello Friday night. The game winner was a 23 yard strike to Anthony Miller with 57 seconds left that stunned the Oliers.
Federico took over for Steven Rivera who went out with an injured right ankle mid way through the second quarter. Early reports are that it is a bad sprain but not a break.
“That’s why we bring 47 players on the bus,” said Arroyo Coach Jim Singsier. “It’s not a one man team. Everybody has to step up. That’s why we give Eddie all those snaps in practice. So he’ll be ready.”
Arroyo had been shut out up to that point. Penalties and turnovers had plagued them through out the contest. Federico threw two interceptions in the third quarter. The Knights also had a punt blocked and turned the ball over on a fumble.
In the first half, Arroyo’s possessions ended in three punts, a blocked punt, and a fourth down stop. The defense kept Arroyo in the game however as they continued to deny Montebello. They stopped the Oliers twice deep in the red zone in the second half – once on an interception by Mike Amaya in the end zone and another on a blocked field goal attempt.
“We just kept playing defense. That’s what kept us in it,” Singiser said.
The Oilers lone score came with 9:23 left in the second quarter when they took over at the Arroyo 19 after the blocked punt. Five plays later, Johnny Salinas scored on seven yard run. On the point after, a bad snap forced Montebello to attempt a pass into the end zone. The pass was incomplete but Arroyo was called for an interference penalty. Lashawn Howard then ran in the two point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
It stayed that way unitl late in the fourth when Arroyo put together a four play, 80 yard drive. Mikey Vasquez broke loose for a 23 yard run and then Federico found Hunter Duran for a 53 yard touchdown pass.
After Arroyo stopped Montebello, the Knights got the ball back at their own 30 with 2:05 left. Federico hit Miller on two big passes including one on fourth and 11 that kept the drive alive. Miller then hauled in the 23 yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game winner.
Vasquez had 26 carries for 159 yards. Federico threw for 135 yards and two touchdowns for the Knights. Howard was the leading ground gainer for Montebello with 83 yards on 14 carries.
Arroyo improved to 3-0 and will face Hart next week. Montebello (0-3) will host El Rancho.
A 0 0 0 12 12
M 0 8 0 0 8
2nd Qtr:
M 9:23 salinas 7 yd run (Howard run – 2 pt)
4th Qtr:
A 3:37 Duran 53 yd pass from Federico (2 pt pass failed)
A :57 Miller 23 yd pass from Federico (2 pt pass failed)
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