MidValleySports.Com

(Baldwin Park) The Baldwin Park Braves and the Montebello Oilers kicked off the 2023 season Friday night, with both teams seeking a significant win. For Baldwin Park, they were looking for a win to kick off the Robert Maxie era as head coach. On the other side, Montebello was seeking to give long time head coach Pete Gonzalez his 100th win. Although Baldwin Park jumped to an early lead, it would be Montebello coming out victorious with a 33-30 present for Gonzalez’s 100th.

The Braves struck early needing only three plays to cover 55-yards with Jacob Garcia finding Caleb Calvin from 23-yards away. The extra point missed but before the seats were warm, Baldwin Park led 6-0. The kicking game would haunt the Braves all evening.

The Braves pushed their lead to 12-0 when Garcia found Dahriyon Vaughn from 12 yards out. Baldwin Park went for two but was unsuccessful. 

Montebello found paydirt for the first time in 2023 with 4:07 left in the opening quarter. Freddie Morales capped an 8-play 58 yard drive with a 2-yard run. The Oilers missed the extra point and trailed 12-6.

Baldwin Park scored 18 unanswered points to take a 30-6 lead with 6:06 left to play in the first half. The touchdowns came on two passes from Garcia to Calvin and the third on a 2-yard run by Corey Lacey. The points after failed following all three scores.The missed extra points would proved to be devastating as the end deficit was only three points.

On the ensuing kickoff following the Braves last touchdown, the Oilers got a big boost of momentum when Nikel Patel fielded the kickoff at his own 17 and weaved his way through the Brave coverage team. When it was over Patel electrified the Oiler faithful with an 83-yard return to glory.

With ole’ Mo in their back pocket, Montebello took their next possession 49–yards on six plays with Anthony Marroquin powering his way across the line on a four yard run. Julian Silva was the recipient of a 2-yard pass from Sean Romero to complete the 2-point conversion.

The teams headed to the locker room still 10-points apart but the Braves were probably the most thankful that that break had come to maybe slow the Oilers down.

Montebello picked up right where they left off to start the second half marching 75-yards on seven plays with Marroquin getting his second score on the night on a 14-yard pass from Romero.

The Oilers got their first and last lead of the night with 5:36 left to play in the third. Montebello decided to use a little trickery. Romero dropped back to pass and fired the ball laterally to Luiz Jimenez-Ruiz. Ruiz caught the ball and proceeded to launch a pass of his own deep down the middle. Nicholas Santa Ana got behind the Brave defenders, caught the pass and outraced Baldwin Park to paydirt.

From there the Montebello defense did the rest, holding the Braves in check and preserving the milestone victory for their head coach.

Baldwin Park will regroup and get ready to travel to El Monte nex week while Montebello will savor the victory while getting ready for the short trip to Cantwell-Sacred Heart.