MidValleySports.Com

Northview's Marquise Thomas gaine 400 all purpose yards against BP.

By Matthew Schuler

(Covina)- Baldwin Park defeated the Northview Vikings, 45-28, to clinch second place in the Valle Vista League, earning the Braves a playoff seed after Friday night’s victory at Covina District Field.

Junior wide receiver Bruno Haro had a tremendous outing, catching three touchdown passes from Mario Rodriguez and finishing with 216 receiving yards on nine grabs.

“Early in the season we were playing a lot of tough games and he (Haro) was hurting,” said BP coach James Heggins. “He tweaked his knee, but he kept battling back, rehabbing and getting himself together. I’m proud of him for playing hard, he made some big plays tonight.”

Demitrius Jackson started off the fun when he stripped the football from Northview’s Marquise Thomas and returned it 65 yards for a 7-0 lead in the opening moments of the first quarter.

After a Anthony Moran touchdown run and two Haro touchdown catches, it was a 28-7 BP lead right before halftime. Rodriguez spotted Haro in the end zone surrounded by Viking defenders and threw the ball up for his playmaker. Haro leaped up and made a fabulous catch in between three NV defensive backs, coming down with the ball in the end zone and celebrating with teammates after a awesome display of concentration in traffic.

BP actually led 35-7 with 5:44 left in the third.

On the other side of the ball it was Thomas who did it all for the Vikings.

Thomas accumulated over 200 yards rushing and crossed the goal line 3 times, including a spectacular display of speed on a 98-yard kickoff return in which he split two defenders and raced past the kick off coverage for an early 14-7 ball game with 11:32 to play in the second quarter.

Thomas also proved a dynamic weapon on special teams for the Vikings, totaling over 200 yards on kick off returns alone to add to his rushing total. Thomas finished his last game of the season with an outstanding 400 total yards.

“I wish I had eleven guys like that guy” said Northview coach Marcel Perez. “I can’t say enough about him, the kid is one of the hardest football players I’ve seen play.”

Northview never gave in as defensive linemen Jesse Fullen returned an interception 15-yards to paydirt and Thomas’s 62-yard touchdown burst brought Northview to a 45-28 deficit with 8 minutes left in the game.

That’s as close as the Vikings would get.

Baldwin Park moves on to a 5-5 overall Record and Heggins can’t be happier with his boys.

“It’s really a testament to our kids and their work ethic,” said Heggins. “They just keep showing up everyday working their butt off. I’m really proud of our guys that are working hard and doing what it takes to win football games. We’re just proud to be in the playoffs.”