MidValleySports.Com

The Lions had trouble containing Juan Aldana

(El Monte) The El Monte Lions were at home Thursday night looking to exact some revenge for a 68-66 triple overtime loss last year to the Gladstone Gladiators. The plan did not come to fruition as the Gladiators scored 28 unanswered points and held on for a 28-14 win over the Lions.

Gladstone came into the game with an 0-2 record having been outscored 66-22 looking like a team suffering the effects of graduation and a coaching change.  On the other side El Monte is feeling the effects of losing trigger-man Brandon Martinez while the defense after three games is still searching for consistency.

*** The Lions drew first blood with 8:12 left in the opening frame on a three yard run by Roy Barrajas. Adrian Cuevas found Juan Amaya for the two point conversion and an 8-0 lead.

*** The Gladiators came right back on the ensuing drive going 56-yards on 10 plays with Israel Vega getting the call from 15-yards away.

*** Gladstone took the lead 14-8 with 5:16 left in the first half on a seven yard run by Juan Aldana.

*** After a power outage delayed the start of the second half, Ray Torres put the Gladiators up 21-8 on a four yard run.

*** Vega’s 48-yard dash to paydirt with 1:36 left in the third period extended the lead to 21. Vega carried the ball nine times for 95-yards and the two scores.

*** The Lions cut the lead to 14 with 6:36 left in the final frame on a 26-yard strike from Adrian Cuevas to Memo Duran.

*** Aldana was the workhorse for Gladstone Thursday night carrying the rock 23 times for 115-yards and a touchdown. Aldana also completed five passes for 54-yards.

*** Barrajas was the hub of the offense for El Monte carrying the ball 14 times for 59-yards and a score and caught five balls for 42.

*** Cuevas completed just 18 of 30 passes for 180-yards and the lone touchdown but also had two costly interceptions.

*** El Monte will take a week off to prepare for Bell Gardens on October 4 while Gladstone stays on the road and travels to Sierra Vista to open Montview League play.