By Rich Whittington
(San Marino) – The formula was simple for San Marino Thursday evening, win and you are the undisputed Rio Hondo League Champions, lose, and we have a three-way tie for the Rio Hondo League Crown. We have a tie. The Monrovia Wildcats defeated the Titans, 29-24, and secured a third of the 2023 Rio Hondo League Championship, at San Marino’s Titan Field.
San Marino started the scoring for the evening, on the defensive side of the ball, when cornerback Carson Herren intercepted a pass from Monrovia quarterback Brian Salazar, Jr., and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was successfully added by kicker Nick Acuna, making the score 7-0, at the 9:42 mark of the first quarter.
The lead did not last long. On their next possession Salazar connected with Iziaih Ainsworth for a 19-yard score. The 2-point PAT attempt, from Salazar to Wideout Troy Grise, made the score 8-7 after one quarter of play.
The second quarter provided more excitement. Monrovia added their second TD of the evening, as Joshua Griffiths found the end zone on a 3-yard run. The PAT was added by kicker Zephyr Enriquez, making the score 15-7, in favor of the Wildcats. San Marino countered, adding a 31-yard Acuna Field Goal, making the score 15-10, as the first half ended.
The Wildcats extended their lead in the third quarter, when running back Davonte Jones scored on a 1-yard TD blast. Another successful Enriquez PAT made the score 22-10 after three quarters of play.
San Marino cut the lead as the fourth quarter got under way. Quarterback Brady Beck connected with receiver Sid Danenhauer for a 25-yard TD. Acuna added the PAT, making the score 22-17 with 11:05 remaining in regulation. Monrovia matched the score, as Jones scored his second touchdown of the evening, another 1-yard run. A third Enriquez PAT made the score 29-17, with 7:37 remaining on the clock.
San Marino got another opportunity to score, courtesy of defensive tackle Mitch Mooney, who had a strip/sack of Monrovia’s Salazar, ending in a fumble. For good measure, Mooney recovered the fumble as well.
San Marino took advantage of the opportunity, scoring on a 5-yard run by Coleman Morning. Another Acuna PAT made the score 29-24, with 1:48 to play.
San Marino had one final opportunity to win the game. However, after successfully recovering an on-side kick, San Marino failed to score, making the score 29-24 as the game came to an end.
Monrovia finishes the season with a record of 6-3, 4-1 in Rio Hondo League play. San Marino finishes with a mark of 8-2, also 4-1 in the Rio Hondo.
The three teams involved in the tie…Monrovia, San Marino, and South Pasadena have agreed not to break the tie, either with statistics or a coin flip, and recognize as the League Champion. As for playoff seeding, the order has been established as 1. South Pasadena, 2. Monrovia, 3. San Marino.
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Sunday should be interesting to see where the three teams land in the CIF brackets. All three schools are projected to be in D9 or D10. I am happy that SP got one of the co-champions. I understand from some people in the know that they have not been on top of the Rio Hondo since the mid 1970’s. That is one long drought. Congratulations to them and Coach Chi.
@Anonymous Got no problem with a three way tie also, It is fitting for the way the RHL has turned out in the past. With coin flips and after the last game CA tie breakers on completed by teams who ride the bus from their last game and start up the tie breaker. Or maybe the team that won to be in a position to claim the final invite to the playoffs and then after winning forfeiting the game due to ethical violations– to have the team they beat go to the playoffs. Like said before the RHL is home to wild and wacky. But this year they decided to forego the tie breakers which is an interesting break from tradition.
@FB Fan Maybe I am too old school. I understand divisioning and ranking teams is a thankless job, But I have just seen too much mischief over too long a period of time to not be skeptical of the process that plays out behind the veil of the CIF offices.
And this is not just RHL stuff but across the board in the SS.
And RE ranking if SM ends up D10 then Monrovia should be D8.. Hell just how many years has the program won league and made deep runs into CIF, Maybe we can call it the Kurt Scobbie penalty? But do not get upset as I am just a poster on the MV and have nothing other than my opinion. So good luck to the three champs of the RHL Hopefully it is not one and done for anyone.
My guess, SP is the last man standing.
@ Grim Reaper,
The numbers are the numbers when it comes to CIF divisions now. CIF members cannot fudge or doctor the calpreps ratings.
@ Grim, curious what your thoughts on awarding 3 teams League c0-champions? I am ok with it because the kids gave it their all on the field every game. They should be rewarded for their work that they earned. The coin flip thing is the worst. It basically negates what the kids did on the field.
I think SP will beat Poly too, but I thought there should have been a tag in the article that said, “If SP beats Poly, then it’s a three way tie”. As of the conclusion of last night’s game, Monrovia and SM were tied for first. SP hasn’t locked up the third spot yet. I just like the reporting to be accurate, that is all. I understand both coaches were making curious calls last night. SM going for it on 4th down on their own 30 yard line more than once and failing, giving Monrovia a short field. Monrovia calling for pass play in SM territory when they were ahead in the 4th by 2 scores and needing to run the clock down and force SM to use time outs. So some head scratching choices. But fortunately for the Cats their defense held in the end.
I agree with all your comments about the Monrovia squad. , but you didn’t mention #1 WR Ellison . He is great receiver and the Salazar-Ellison connection hit for 200+ even with long TD called back.
However , don’t you understand that the equity model for playoffs considers only this years CalPreps ratings ? South Pas and Monrovia looking at bottom D9 and San Marino top of D10? Losing could’ve been winning for SM ?
Monrovia has D7 athleticism, but penalties, turnovers , special teams gaffes and questionable coaching put them squarely in D9.
Some very questionable decisions gave SM a big chance of winning at the end when they were done with 4 minutes left !
Oh yeah or some giant fight ala Gabrielino etc ending in DQ and forfeits …
But of course that would be the wild and wacky to upset the wild and wacky tea cart..
That could fit right in.. I will give that to RHL Fan..
Poly beat SP?
Not buying that.. Short of SP admitting they were sending someone to tape other team’s practices as once happened after the conclusion of last game by a team I will not mention here, resulting in forfeit(s) — I fully expect the three way tie to become reality.
Sorry Poly, but not going to happen.
Well there you go the wild and wacky came to pass.
A three way tie..
And the ranking seems to follow the CalPreps ratings.
And despite 3 interceptions and a fumble Salazar was the difference in the game on Thursday,
So Pas is likely the best team as the rankings say, but not a team that cam comeback if they fall behind.
Monrovia can score in a second, but inconsistent play and mistakes can hurt their chances in the playoffs. And if equity is right they need to be in tougher division than SP and SM due to their long term success, If they are down divisioned into the same division as SP and SM you will know there is mischief in the CIF offices. (I am not sure about now but the CIF board/committee had a Monrovia administrator on it in the past)
You have to take the worst division between SP and SM and subtract two to get to the proper seeding for Monrovia.
Don’t put the cart before the horse just yet. South Pas still has to play and beat Pasadena Poly tonight in order to make it a three-way tie for first in the Rio Hondo. Stranger things have happened. Temple City gave SP all they could handle two weeks ago and LC took SP to overtime last week.