By Ron Vrooman
(South El Monte) – Quarterback Matthew Medina overcame two first-half interceptions, throwing three touchdown passes in the final nine minutes to lead South El Monte to a 21-6 win over visiting Alhambra on Friday night.
Medina, a three-year starter for the Eagles, completed 15 of 24 passes for a total of 200 yards. His leading receiver was Tony Aguilar, who made seven catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Aguilar’s 35-yard scoring grab gave South El Monte a 14-6 lead with 5:09 left in the game.
The Eagles’ two-way star was receiver/free safety Julian Lopez, who hauled in three passes for 21 yards and two TD’s. His diving catch of a two-point conversion throw from Medina, which came right after his score on a two-yard pass, put South El Monte ahead for the first time with 8:53 remaining. On defense, Lopez intercepted Alhambra quarterback Bryan Leonard three times.
The Eagles’ Matthew Vergara gained 82 yards in 22 carries to lead all rushers. In contrast, the Moors netted only 35 yards on the ground and managed only 106 yards in total offense. Leonard, a junior, connected on 13 of 31 passes for just 71 yards along with the three turnovers.
The Moors got their only score on a keeper by Leonard early in the second quarter. That touchdown came on the first play after a snap sailed over the head of South El Monte punter Angel Bautista and was downed at the Eagles’ four-yard line. The extra-point attempt by Bryli Miguel was wide left, so Alhambra’s lead stood at 6-0.
The Moors missed a golden opportunity to go ahead by two scores on their next possession. On 3rd-and-1 at the South El Monte 15, Leonard threw for the end zone but was picked off by Lopez at the goal line. As it turned out, that would be it for Alhambra’s offense.
One silver lining for the Moors was the play of their defense, which shut out South El Monte for more than three quarters. Defensive back Adrian Correa and linebacker Devin Martinez each intercepted a pass, and the Moors sacked Medina twice.
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