MidValleySports.Com

By Ron Vrooman

(Alhambra) – In a game dominated by ball control and defense, two touchdowns were enough for the visiting Bell Gardens Lancers as they defeated the Alhambra Moors, 14-2, in the teams’ Almont League opener Thursday night.

Alhambra held Bell Gardens to 93 yards on the ground, but the Lancers were able to run just enough to set up an effective passing attack which made the difference for them.

Bell Gardens quarterback Michael Mendoza completed 19 of 25 passes for 228 yards, including a five-yard throw to Andres Espinal which gave the Lancers a 7-0 lead with 4:40 to go before halftime. Espinal finished the night with eight catches for 122 yards.

With Alhambra still trailing, 7-0, at the beginning of the third quarter, it was the Moors’ special teams and defense which gave them a chance to take the lead. 

An excellent second-half kickoff by the Moors’ Tristan Garcia left the Lancers pinned at their own two-yard line. On the Lancers’ first play from scrimmage, Mendoza was able to get off a pass from the end zone which fell incomplete. However, Bell Gardens was called for holding on the play, and the Moors were awarded a safety which cut the Lancers’ lead to 7-2. 

Alhambra then got the ball at the Lancers’ 41 after the ensuing kickoff from the Bell Gardens 20. The Moors advanced to the 33-yard line, but on third down, Alhambra quarterback Bryan Leonard threw a deep pass which was intercepted by the Lancers’ Isaiah Flores at the Bell Gardens 10.  

That was the closest Alhambra’s offense got to scoring the entire game.

Late in the third quarter the Lancers started an 11-play, 89-yard drive for their second and final score. Jonathan Castellon, who was under center for Bell Gardens on fourth-and-1 at the Alhambra 6, plunged ahead all the way to the end zone with 9:58 to play. Espinal kicked the extra point to increase the Lancers’ lead to 14-2.

On the Moors’ next possession, Leonard, who was intercepted twice and hit on only four of 14 passes for 37 yards, was replaced by backup Robby Siegmeth. But Alhambra was still unable to score even though Siegmeth completed five of 11 throws for 64 yards during the final quarter.    

Despite giving up 321 total yards to the Lancers, Alhambra’s defense proved to be resilient and kept the Moors within striking distance most of the way. However, their offense gained a season-low 131 yards from scrimmage.

To a large degree, both teams were their own worst enemies, as the Lancers were penalized 18 times for a total of 160 yards and the Moors were hit with 12 penalties for 99 yards. 

Bell Gardens improved its overall record to 4-2, while Alhambra fell to 4-2.