MidValleySports.Com

By Rich Whittington

(El Monte) – The El Monte Lions came up just short Friday evening, falling to the visiting Lynwood Knights 44-37 in overtime in the second round of the CIF Division 13 Playoffs at Mt. View High School.

This was a home game for the Lions. However, due to the replacement of the track and football field at EMHS, the Lions were able to utilize other fields in the district for their home games during the latter portion of the 2024 football season.

El Monte opened the evening’s scoring when Brandon Do scored on a 26-yard touchdown run. The extra point was successfully added by Alonso Rivera, making the score 7-0 with 9:24 remaining in the opening period. Lynwood answered back, as quarterback Jordan Sewell found the end zone on a 6-yard blast. The extra point was converted by Giovanni Morales, tying the score at 7-7 at the halfway point of the first quarter. The Knights took the lead a few minutes later, as Morales converted a 29-yard field goal attempt. This made the score 10-7 as the first quarter came to a close.

The second period saw the Knights increase their lead when Sewell connected with Jahmin Waldrop for a 64-yard catch-and -run. A second successful Morales PAT made the score 17-7, with 9:11 remaining in the opening half. The Lions responded when Felipe Taboda scored on an 11-yard TD pop. A second Rivera PAT was added, making the score 17-14, with 5:26 on the clock.

Lynwood added to their score, as Morales kicked his second field goal of the evening…a 31-yard offering…making the score 20-14 with 4:00 to go until the break. As it turned out, that was more than enough time for each team to add to their totals.

El Monte went first, as Do logged his second score of the evening, a 51-yard rush. Another Rivera PAT, and the score was 21-20, in favor of the Lions. El Monte’s lead wouldn’t last long, as Sewell connected with Waldrop for a 22-yard score. The 2-Point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, making the score 26-21, as the first half came to an end.

The third quarter saw El Monte take the lead, as Taboda added a second touchdown run. The 2-Point PAT was added by Do, making the score 29-26 with 5:17 remaining in the third.

Lynwood then tacked on another touchdown of its own, as Sewell returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a score. The 2-Point PAT attempt was successful, making the score 34-29 as the third quarter ended.

The final quarter saw the Lions take the lead when quarterback Alex Aleman found Noah Munoz for a 19-yard score. Taboda added the 2-Point PAT, making the sore 37-34 with 2:28 left in regulation. Lynwood tied the score, when Morales booted his third successful field goal of the evening, making the score 37-37 at the end of regulation.

In the tiebreaking process, known affectionately as the “California Tiebreaker” each team is given an opportunity to possess the ball. If the first team scores, the second team must also score to keep the game going. If both teams score the exact number of points, the process starts again. This is repeated until one team scores and the opponent does not.

Lynwood won the toss and earned the first possession. The Knights scored, as Sewell scored on a 3-yard Touchdown. Morales kicked another PAT, making the score 44-37. El Monte then got their overtime opportunity. Unfortunately, the Lions were unable to score, making the final score of the contest 44-37, in favor of the Lynwood Knights.

Lynwood advances to the CIF Division 13 Semi-Finals, where they will meet the Pasadena Bulldogs. El Monte finishes their season with a 7-5 overall record, 4-1 in Mission Valley League play.