MidValleySports.Com

Montebello’s Randy Portillo provided the game clincher with a pick in the end zone Friday night. (Photo by B.G. Hernandez)

By George Hernandez

(Montebello)- The Montbello Oilers defense held the Schurr Spartans to 227-total yards and forced six punts in a 14-7 win to claim the Almont League title Friday night at Montebello High School.

Oilers Randy Portillo picked up a loose ball after the Spartans blocked a field goal attempt and tossed a prayer that landed in the hands of Thomas Perchikyan who took it 11-yards for a touchdown, making it 7-0 early first quarter.

That lead held for three quarters.

Isaac Mendibles pushed the lead to 14-0 with a 2-yard run with 11:17 to play in the game.

The Spartans got close when Eric Perez scored on a 1-yard run with 5:15 to play.

Schurr was driving late but with 49 seconds left to play Sal Chavez was intercepted by Randy Portillo in the end zone to seal the deal and give the crown to Bello.

*** Isaac Mendibles carried the load for Montebello with 25-carries for 97-yards and a 2-yard score.

*** Schurr’s Abel Troncoza was held to 44-total yards.

*** Spartans Andrew Rosales and Christian Ochoa each intercepted a pass.

*** Oilers Jordan Fowlkes injured his ankle in the middle of the second quarter, but came back the second half and played a stellar linebacker.

*** RB Eric Perez led the Schurr’s offense with 57-yards rushing and a touchdown, also had 25-yards receiving on two catches.

*** Oilers QB Carlos China hit a wide open Aaron Hernandez for a 77-yard score to paydirt that was called back on a holding call.

*** Montebello’s China finished 2 of 5 for 14-yards and two interceptions.

*** QB Salvador Chavez completed 12 of 24 passes for 137-yards for Schurr but lost two fumbles and threw a pick.

*** Hero Randy Portillo sealed the league title for the Oilers with an interception in the end zone stopping a late drive that would of tied up the game with 49-seconds left.

*** Montebello HC “we played a heck of a game put pressure all night, take nothing away from Schurr their tough.”

*** Oilers OC Pete Gonzalez said “This was our worse performance on offense, we’re better than what we showed today.”

*** The Oilers (7-3) varsity team joins its JV and freshman team as Almont league champs and moves on to the Mid Valley Division playoffs.

*** The Spartans (5-5) finished second in the Almont and also head into the playoffs.