MidValleySports.Com

By Alex A. Gonzalez

Covina — The annual matchup between the Covina Colts and the Northview Vikings took place at Covina District Field Friday night, and for the fourth consecutive year, the Vikings came out victorious as they dominated the Colts, 56-21. Senior quarterback Robert Lucero tallied 210 total yards and accounted for five touchdowns while the defense forced four turnovers. 

“Honestly, it was being on the same page. Got a lot of work with my guys during the week,” commented Lucero after the game. “My quarterback coach breaks everything down for me, and he’s always in my ear by telling me the right reads and telling me what I did wrong every drive.” 

Starting at their own 9-yard line, the Vikings hit the ground running by calling three straight rushing plays totaling 22 yards between Lucero’s scramble for three yards and Zachary Garza’s two carries for 12 and seven yards. Then, after a completed pass from Lucero to Aiden Jimenez for nine yards and a 2-yard carry, Lucero took the snap from the 49-yard line and launched his pass to Jaishon Bledsoe, who took it to the house for the game’s first touchdown. 

The Colts then tried to respond on the ensuing possession. Quarterback Roy Vasquez completed his first pass for 21 yards to Aaron Hernandez, then Gatsbee Gumban’s 11-yard run set the offense up in Northview territory. However, on their fifth play of the series, Gumban fumbled the ball and it fell into the hands of Jacob Cruz. 

Unfortunately, the next drive for Northview only lasted one play due to Lucero throwing his only interception of the night at the 6:47 mark of the first quarter. The Colts could not capitalize though on the turnover and punted the ball back to their cross-town rival. 

Lucero and Co. then added their second touchdown of the night, thanks to Lucero’s legs when he optioned to keep the rock for the 12-yard touchdown run, capping off the three-play drive with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter. 

Covina was then able to punch back just as the second quarter started. Vasquez completed his first three passes of the drive, totaling 43 yards. Then, once the offense reached the 1-yard line after Hernandez hauled in a 21-yard pass, Vasquez took the snap and bulldozed his way into the end zone, making the score 14-7. 

Northview and the Colts traded scoring drives as the second quarter played out. Lucero scored his second rushing touchdown on the ensuing drive. Then Vasquez returned the favor, tossing his touchdown pass to Kevin Perez, making the score 21-14 with 7:28 remaining. 

The Vikings started to create separation on their next drive after Isaiah Lucero took the sweep pass and reached pay dirt from 14 yards out, making the score 28-14. Then on the next drive, Miguel Guillen picked off Vasquez at the Covina 18-yard line, and four plays later, Lucero hooked up with Manny Garcia alone for the touchdown. 

The momentum stayed with the Vikings after the touchdown pass that made it 35-14 late in the second quarter. Once Covina retained possession of the ball, Andrew Ramos picked off Vasquez and took it back to the house for the pick six, making the score 42-14. 

The Colts were able to shake off the back-to-back turnovers and reach the endzone with 30 seconds left in the second quarter when Vasquez found Perez in the corner of the endzone. The score would also be the last time the offense was able to create any scoring drives. 

Following the break, Covina started the half with possession, but it did not last long when Vasquez was picked off for the third time by Miguel Guillen, who then returned it for the defensive score. 

Once Lucero tossed his third passing touchdown to Bledsoe for the 18-yard pitch and catch midway through the third quarter, the Vikings were able to hold off Covina from reaching midfield. Then, as the fourth quarter started, a running clock ensued with both teams subbing in their backups to finish. 

With the win, Northview has a bye next week and will host Baldwin Park on Oct. 2 at Covina District Field. For Covina, they will host Santa Fe next Friday night.