MidValleySports.Com

By Rich Whittington

(San Gabriel) – The San Gabriel Matadors wasted little time logging their first Almont League victory Thursday evening, as the Matadors dominated the visiting Mark Keppel Aztecs, 59-0, in the friendly confines of San Gabriel Stadium.

San Gabriel wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring on the game’s opening drive. Running back Robert Lucero found the end-zone on an 8-yard TD run. The PAT was added by Daniel Martinez, making the score 7-0, San Gabriel, with 9:55 remaining in the opening quarter. San Gabriel increased its lead, courtesy of Troy Le, who returned a fumble recovery 20 yards for the second matador score. This made the score 13-0, Matadors, with 9:45 remaining in quarter number one.

San Gabriel would score three more times in the quarter…first as Le passed the goal line on an 11-yard TD dash, the second when SS Preston Ortega returned a Keppel punt fifty-three yards for a Matador score, and the third when Tijani Daley returned another Keppel punt ninety-five yards for a touchdown. The addition of two successful Martinez PATs made the score 33-0, San Gabriel, at the close of the first period.

San Gabriel continued their dominance into the second quarter, adding four more touchdowns to their score. This made the score 59-0 as the halftime buzzer sounded. This was also the game’s eventual final score.

Mark Keppel was never able to get on track. Youth, inexperience, and stingy San Gabriel defense kept the Aztecs out of the end-zone and off the scoreboard.

Aztec quarterback Joshua Juanico garnered one hundred All-Purpose yards, in a game where he attempted to extend the field with his scrambling ability. In the end, the Matador defense was too much for the young Aztecs.

San Gabriel improves to 6-2, 1-2 in Almont League play, and will be at home next week, to face the Bell Gardens Lancers. Mark Keppel, 0-8, 0-3 in the Almont, will travel to Schurr High School to play the Spartans. Kickoff for both contests is 7:00 PM.