MidValleySports.Com

Rosemead's Matt Fregoso (#20) prepares to meet Arroyo's Mike Vasquez (#42) in "The Crosstown Showdown".

(Rosemead)- In terms of beauty, this game was positively Bulgarian.

In terms of how it will be remembered…well, as Al Michaels might say; ‘Write another glorious chapter in an incredible rivalry’.

Neither team was exceptional, there were few great moments, but it was the Knights who  held on for a 14-12 victory over Rosemead on Friday night at Marinelli Stadium in “The Crosstown Showdown”.

“We didn’t execute,” said Arroyo head coach Jim Singiser.

With 3:30 to play Panthers quarterback Matt Macias, on third and nine, went 25-yards to Greg Parham to draw Mead within two.

Matt Koffler’s squad went for the expected two but Macias’ fade pass to Coronado Simpson was broken up by the Knights Mike Amaya to preserve the victory.

While going for the two-point conversion was understood, the necessity sprang from Arroyo special teamer Fernie Ochoa.

Ochoa, a junior defensive back, blocked a critical 30-yard field goal attempt by the Panthers Chris Cancino with 1:10 remaining in the first half.

Then after Simpson intercepted a Steven Rivera pass at midfield in the fourth and carried it to the Arroyo one, before Macias scored on a sneak, Ochoa came across the front of Cancino again and blocked the extra-point attempt.

“We can’t kick field goals in practice,” said Singiser. “He comes off the edge and seems to read the snap well.”

The game broke down into two narratives. The Mead couldn’t put together enough offense. The Knights couldn’t keep from sticking a lance in its own foot. Case in point, the series prior to Parham’s touchdown was low-lighted by three offensive holding calls on Arroyo.

“We didn’t play well,” said Singiser. “But give Rosemead the credit. That’s a battle tested team. Look at their schedule and who they played. That’s a playoff team over there.”

Following a Panther turnover (a fumble recovered by Amaya) deep in its own end, Arroyo scored with 4:43 to play on an 18-yard pass from Rivera to Mike Vasquez.

In the third a short punt set the Knights up at the Rosemead 43. Eight plays later Rivera went 4-yards to tight end Sam Torres and it was 14-0.

Rivera finished 8 of 19 for 102-yards for two touchdowns and two picks. Mike Vasquez added 120-yards on 16-carries for the now 4-2 Knights.

For Rosemead, 1-5, they were led by Simpson, Luis Diaz, Matt Eddy and the rest of the defense. Recording three sacks, two picks, and two turnovers on downs deep in their own territory.

“Our defense stepped up like always,” said Koffler. “We need some help offense.”