MidValleySports.Com

The Aztecs enjoying a moment after defeating Bassett. (Photo by Matt Schuler)

By Matthew Schuler

(La Puente)- If you thought the Aztecs were going away after last season’s mediocre finish…guess again.

The Azusa Aztecs claimed their fifth Montview League title in the last six years with a 26-21 victory over the Bassett Olympians at Olympian Field on Friday night.

“It feels great to be back on top again,” said Aztec HC Joe Scherf. “These kids deserve it.  They gave their summer up for me, for this football team, and its well-deserved by them”.

Bassett actually held a 21-20 lead when Nicolas Colmenero capped off a 15-play drive and found Eric Ruff on fourth and seven for a 10-yard score early in the fourth.

The Olympians were on the verge of extending their lead later in the fourth after a 35- yard punt return by Ruff, but a solid defensive stance stopped Colmenero’s 2 yard run on fourth and three.

Two plays later Cameron Blackburn went 51-yards to the house and out ran the Bassett secondary to the end zone to give his team the go ahead score and eventual 26-21 game winner with 7:09 to play.

The Olympians still had one last run at a co-championship claim before being deflated by a controversial holding call on a third and 9 first down completion that brought Bassett all the way back to their 40 from the Aztecs 20.

“They should of kept Bassett in our league,” said Scherf in regards to the league changes coming in 2014. “That’s a tough team over there. They got a lot of heart, their kids play hard, and they got a great coaching staff.”

*** Dominic Ramirez was big on “D” for Azusa and also sealed game with an interception to end it.

*** Next season Ganesha, La Puente, & Bassett will be joining Garey and Pomona in a modernized version of the Miramonte League.

***Due to a pre-determined coin toss, Bassett’s loss also eliminates them for C.I.F contention.

*** A win for the Olympians would of not only guaranteed a playoff berth, but it would’ve also been the school’s first League title since Randy Tresvant led the San Gabriel Valley in rushing and Bassett to an undefeated league title under Pete Smolin in 2005.

***Bassett looks to improve next season, only graduating 7 seniors, including Colmenero.

*** Bassett pounded the ball on the ground scoring 2 rushing touchdowns, before the go ahead score.

***The game was knotted 14-14 at halftime

***Blackburn finished with 190 total yards and 3 TD’s (2 Rush, 1 reception)

***Blackburn had touchdown runs of 28, 51 and a 18 yard receiving score.

***Azusa finishes the regular season 8-2 overall, 7-0 in the Montview.

***Bassett closed out its Montview League existence with a 5-5 record, 5-2 in league.