By Matt Schuler<\/p>\n
(Pico Rivera)-\u00a0 No one would have predicted this one.<\/p>\n
After only winning two games last year the El Rancho Dons started this season with a surprising 28-17 victory on their home field against the West Covina Bulldogs Friday night at Don Memorial Stadium.<\/p>\n
El Rancho\u2019s defensive speed contained West Covina returning running back Ricky Johnson and forced the Bulldogs into four costly turnovers.<\/p>\n
Johnson had a great game on the ground, but coach Mike Maggiore and West Covina could not establish any other weapons on offense.<\/p>\n
On the other hand first year starter for El Rancho Art Franco rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for another score.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of him\u201d said Don Coach Rick Zepeda. \u201cEspecially when everybody is talking about the West Covina backs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s small, but he is one of the stronger kids on our team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson finished with over 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground, but the Bulldogs passing game was absent.<\/p>\n
After forcing West Covina to punt on their opening drive, El rancho executed a 12 play drive, and set the tone when third year quarterback Josh Perea connected on a four yard pass with Franco on fourth and goal.<\/p>\n
The game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter and West Covina trailed at the half 13-10.<\/p>\n
The Dogs actually held a 17-13 lead after Johnson squirted through the middle and avoided a couple El Rancho Tacklers on the way to a 73 yard score with 3:12 left in the third.<\/p>\n
Rancho responded with a score by Franco who punched in the two point conversion to make the score 21-17.<\/p>\n
The Dons added a score late in the game after another interception thrown by Westco.<\/p>\n
Rancho\u2019s defense forced two interceptions and capitalized turning both into touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Coach Zepeda summed it up best in three words<\/p>\n
\u201cWe worked hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
And for ER hard work earned a victory.<\/p>\n
WC\u00a0 7\u00a0 3\u00a0 7\u00a0 0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 17<\/p>\n
ER 7\u00a0 6\u00a0 0\u00a0 15\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 28<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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